Part 27 (1/2)

”A vagabond angel--”

”Or an angel vagabond. I haven't disappointed you?”

He laughed softly, but made no reply. Of a truth, she had not.

”I was just thinking what a pity it was that during all these years your gifts have been so prodigally wasted. You have, I think, the greatest gift of all.”

”And what is that?”

”The talent for living.”

”Have I? Then I've learned it to-day. I _have_ lived to-day, John,”

she whispered. ”I _have_ lived every hour of it.” She watched the yellow rope of smoke which rose from the damp log. ”The talent for living!” she mused. ”I never thought of that.”

”Yes, it's a talent, a fine art; but you've got to have your root in the soil, Hermia--unless you're an orchid.”

”That's it, I know. But I'm not an orchid any longer.”

Markham rose and knocked his pipe out.

”No,” he smiled, ”you're a night-blooming cereus--and so am I. You must remember that in this world the darkness was made for sleep, dawn for waking. The birds know that. So does Cleofonte. Therefore, you, too, child, shall sleep--and at once.”

He raised the tarpaulin, sc.r.a.ped the ground free of twigs and stones, and then laid it back carefully, fetching his overcoat for a pillow.

”_Voil?_, Mademoiselle, your sheets have been airing all day.

I hope you fill find the mattress to your liking.”

”But--where will you sleep?”

”Here; nearby--in Cleofonte's blanket.”

She drew her long coat around her.

”You're a masterful person,” she laughed. ”What would happen if I refused to obey?”

”An immovable object would encounter an irresistible force.”

She smiled and stretched herself out. He bent forward and laid the loose end of the cover over her.

”Good night, child. As a reward of obedience, you shall dream of a porcelain bath tub and a tooth brush.”

She smiled, and, fis.h.i.+ng in the pocket of her coat, drew out a small object wrapped in paper.

”It's the only thing I've saved from the wreck of my respectability--but the porcelain bath tub! Don't temp me.”

He turned away and picked up Fabiani's blanket.

”Good night, Hermia,” he said.

”Good night.”