HAPPY ISLAND A New “Uncle William” Story By Jennette Lee New York The Century Co. 1911 TO GERALD STANLEY LEE “To make the young world move—He has eyes, And ears, and he can read the sun.... In tune with all the children who laugh best And longest through the sunshine, though far off Their laughter, and unheard.” CONTENTS HAPPY ISLAND I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII HAPPY ISLAND I THE sunlight got in Uncle William’s eyes. He looked up from the map spread on the table before him. Then he got up slowly and crossed to the window and drew down the turkey-red curtain—a deep glow filled the room. Juno, on the lounge, stirred a little and stretched her daws, and drew them in and tucked her head behind them and went on sleeping. Uncle William returned to his map. His big finger found a dotted line and followed it slowly up the table with little mumbles of words.... The room was very still—only the faintest whisper of a breeze came across the harbor—and Uncle William’s head bent over the map and traveled with his finger.... “They ’d run in here, like enough, and...” A shadow crossed the curtain and he looked up. Andy was in the doorway, grinning—a bunch of lobsters dangling from his hand, stretching frantic green legs into space. Andy looked down at them. Uncle William shook his head. “You ’ll get into trouble, Andy, carryin’ ’em that way, right in broad daylight—you can put ’em out there under the bucket—so ’s ’t the sun won’t hit ’em.” Andy departed and the scraping of the bucket on the hard rock came cautiously in the window.... Juno lifted her ear and flicked it and went on dreaming. Uncle William returned to the map. “What you huntin’ up?” asked Andy. He was looking in the window. “‘D you put a stone on top the bucket?” “Yep—What you lookin’ for?” asked Andy. “I was just seein’ where they ’d got to..... They must be up along Battle Harbor way, by this time—” “You heard from ’em?” said Andy. He came in and sat down. “We’ve had a letter to-day—me and Benjy—” “Where’s he gone?” asked Andy. “He’s up to his place—seein’ about some plans they’re makin’—they bother him quite a consid’abul.” Andy’s face showed no concern. “They goin’ to begin working next week?” he said. Uncle William pushed back the map a little and took off his spectacles.... “They don’t just seem to know,” he said slowly, “Benjy wants it one way, and the man that’s doin’ it—Ordway—he says it can’t be done—so they’re kind o’ stuck. I wish he ’d have George Manning.” Uncle William’s face expanded. “George ’d do it—and do it for him good. You see, Benjy, he wants—”