Part 46 (1/2)
”I'll see if there's one in the market.”
”It would be a fine addition to the same old town and country house and yacht. Had you thought where you will have your--our country place?”
”Er--no, I hadn't.”
”Shall you have to be at your post much? Are the office-hours very strict?”
”Pretty strict. We'd have to live on Governor's Island, you know.”
”Really? In one of those little houses?” He nodded. ”I saw them there once when they gave a lawn fete. I never dreamed I'd live in one of them. They aren't very commodious, are they?”
”That depends.”
”Nichette--she's my maid--would make an awful row, and my chauffeur--I suppose we could keep him? He expects to marry Nichette.”
”Does he?”
”If they can stop fighting long enough to get married. Does a garage go with the house we should occupy there?”
”I doubt it.”
”No garage!” she exclaimed. ”How should we manage? It's rather awkward getting to the Island, too, as I remember--a ferry or something. I don't suppose you could arrange to live up-town and do your army work by telephone on rainy days?”
”I'm afraid not.”
His heart was thumping. She grew more exquisite as she grew more fairy-like in her visions. He could not tell her the truth--not yet--not, at least, till they had pa.s.sed through the woods ahead, where there was a promise of opportunity for at least a moment's embrace, at least one hasty kiss.
They jogged on in silence awhile, she pondering like a solemn child, he longing to give her the toys she kept imagining. They drew into the thicket, shady and soft with a breeze that wandered about murmuring ”Woo! woo!” and leaves that whispered ”Kiss! kiss!” and a deep forest voice that mumbled ”Love!”
No one was visible ahead. He turned and stared back. They were shut in by a projecting hill that seemed to close after them like a door. He leaned sidewise with arm outstretched to enfold her waist. But with a quick lift of her hand and a scratch of the spur she carried her horse aside and ahead.
”You mustn't!” she warned. ”Really!”
”But no one can see us.”
”So we thought in the dark hall. And there was some one there. Do you know who it was?”
”I haven't been able to find out.”
”I have!” She spoke triumphantly.
”Who was it, in Heaven's name?”
”Who would be your last guess?”
”Enslee.”
”Why?”
”Because he smiled; because he let me ride with you.”