Part 37 (1/2)

She turned to him. ”You remember what our doctor says when he looks over my little one,--that he is weak, and the air of the Bay is too strong for him?”

”The doctors in Boston also say it,” responded Vesper. ”Mrs. Nimmo has taken him to them.”

Rose flashed a glance of inexpressible grat.i.tude at Vesper.

”You wish him to remain in Boston?” said Agapit.

”Yes, yes,--if they will be so kind, and if it is right that we allow that they keep him for a time.”

Agapit reflected a minute. Could Rose endure the double blow of a separation from her child and from her lover? Yes, he knew her well enough to understand that, although her mother heart and her woman's heart would be torn, she would, after the first sharp pang was over, cheerfully endure any torture in order to contribute to the welfare of the two beings that she loved best on earth. Narcisse would be benefited physically by the separation, Vesper would be benefited mentally. He knew, in addition, that a haunting dread of Charlitte possessed her.

Although he was a fickle, unfaithful man, the paternal instinct might some day awake in him, and he would return and demand his child. Agapit would not himself be surprised to see him reappear at any time in Sleeping Water, therefore he said, shortly, ”It is a good plan.”

”We can at least try it,” said Vesper. ”I will report how it works.”

”And while he is with you, you will have some instruction in his own religion given him?” said Rose, timidly.

”You need not mention that,” said Vesper; ”it goes without saying.”

Rose took a crucifix from her breast and handed it to him. ”You will give him that from his mother,” she said, with trembling lips.

Vesper held it in his hand for a minute, then he silently put it in his pocket.

There was a long pause, broken at last by Agapit, who said, ”Will you get the breakfast, Rose? Mr. Nimmo a.s.sured me that he wished to start at once. Is it not so?”

”Yes,” said Vesper, shortly.

Rose got up and went to the pantry.

”Will you put the things on this table?” said Vesper. ”And will not you and Agapit have breakfast with me?”

Rose nodded her head, and, with a breaking heart, she went to and fro, her feet touching the hardwood floor and the rugs as noiselessly as if there had been a death in the house.

The two young men sat and stared at the stove or out the windows. Agapit was anathematizing Vesper for returning to settle a matter that could have been arranged by writing, and Vesper was alternately in a dumb fury with Agapit for not leaving him alone with Rose, or in a state of extravagant laudation because he did not do so. What a watch-dog he was,--what a sure guardian to leave over his beautiful sweetheart!

Dispirited and without appet.i.te, the three at last a.s.sembled around the table. Rose choked over every morsel that she ate, until, unable longer to endure the trial, she left the table, and contented herself with waiting upon them.

Vesper was famished, having eaten so little the evening before, yet he turned away from the toast and coffee and chops that Rose set before him.

”I will go now; Agapit, come to the gate with me. I want to speak to you.”

Rose started violently. It seemed to her that her whole agitated, overwrought soul had gone out to her lover in a shriek of despair, yet she had not uttered a sound.

Vesper could not endure the agony of her eyes. ”Rose,” he said, stretching out his hands to her, ”will you do as I wish?”

”No,” said Agapit, stepping between them.