Part 14 (2/2)

The bend? Oh, I didnt fish therelook at these! Arent they beauties? I came down the hill to hold my open box up to his face. But my casual word almost effaced the scent of the flowers.

Ahyesdeliciousdidnt fish there? Why not? Did they see you?

Who? The trout? I dont know. But I saw this. And I just had to pick it.

Well! Youre a great fisherman! And with that water right there beside you! Lord!

With the arbutus right here beside me! Lord!

But the arbutus would wait.

But the trout would wait. Theyre waiting for you now, dont you hear them? Go and fish there!

No. Thats your pool. Jonathan has a way of bestowing a trout-pool on me as if it were a bouquet. To refuse its opportunities is almost like throwing his flowers back in his face.

Wellof course its a beautiful pool

Best on the brook, murmured Jonathan.

But, truly, Id enjoy it just as much to have you fish it.

n.o.body can fish it now for a while. I thought youd be there, of course, and I came stamping along down, close by the bank. They wouldnt bite nownot for half an hour, anyway.

Well, then, thats just right. Well go on up the hillside for half an hour, and then come back and fish it. Set your rod up against the bayberry here, and come alonglook there! youre almost stepping on some!

Jonathan, gradually adjusting himself to the turn of things, stood his rod up against the bush with the meticulous care of the true sportsman. Where did you leave yours? he asked, with a suspiciousness born of a deep knowledge of my character.

Oh, down by the bars.

Standing up or lying down?

Lying down, I think. Its all right.

Its not all right if its lying down. Anything might trample on it.

For instance, what?birds or crickets?

For instance, people or cows. He strode down the hill, and I saw him stoop. As he returned I could read disapproval in his gait. Will you never learn how to treat a rod! It was lying just beyond the bars. I must have landed within two feet of it when I jumped over.

Im sorry. I meant to go back. I know perfectly how to treat a rod. My trouble comes in knowing when to apply my knowledge. Well, lets go up there. Near those big hemlocks theres some, I remember. And we wandered on, separating a little to scan the ground more widely.

Once having pried his mind away from the trout, Jonathan was as keen for arbutus as I could wish, and soon I heard an exclamation, and saw him kneel. Oh, come over! he called; you really ought to see this growing!

But theres some I want, right here, thats lovely

Never mind. Come and see thisoh, come!

Of course I come, and of course I am glad I came, and of course soon I am obliged to call Jonathan to see some I have foundJonathan, it is truly the loveliest _yet!_ Its the way it growswith the moss and allplease come! And of course he comes.

<script>