After supper at the hotel he walked up to Mamie's house. He had started out coolly, but suddenly, as he opened the gate, his strength seemed to leave him. He had reached the great moment of his life, and he vaguely knew it. He was so nervous that his hand was shaking when he knocked, and the things about him looked unnatural. Mamie was nervous too; and though she talked easily enough for a while, and scolded Hunch because he had not been to see her all winter, she hardly knew what she was saying. Then came a time when neither had anything to say, and they sat for a long time without a word. Hunch's eyebrows were drawn together, almost fiercely. “Say,” he finally got out, “will you do something for me?” “Why--I'll do anything I can.” “Well, I guess you can, all right. I want you to come up to Manistee with me to-morrow morning.” “Why--” she stammered, “I can't say now--it isn't----?” “No,” said Hunch, “you don't have to say nothing. I just want to show you something. We can be back before night.” Mamie looked relieved. “What is it?” she asked slowly. “Nothing much--I ain't going to tell just yet. You'll come, won't you?” “Why, I don't know------” “Won't you?” Mamie looked at him, hesitated, then laughed nervously, and nodded. She was a little frightened. Hunch grew almost boisterous in a sudden flow of good spirits, and he went away without a word which would make her understand. They took the morning train. Mamie was herself again, and they appeared as quite a sober pair. Hunch, however, grew nervous as they came into Manistee. He hurried her into a trolley car, and sat stiff and silent while they skirted the flat shore of the lake and river. Finally, they got out and walked across the sand to a newly painted cottage next to a sand-hill. Hunch looked at the house, and then at Mamie. She was puzzled, “Well,” he said, “how do you like it?” “What?” she said, though her eyes showed that she was beginning to understand. “That there--the house. It's yours. I made it for you.” He was so excited that he was raising his voice. “S--sh,” said Mamie, “somebody'll hear you.” Then she looked for a long time at the house. Hunch watched her, but she would not meet his eyes. She walked slowly up the yard, balancing on the planks that were laid on the sand. She rested a foot on the first step, and slowly looked around. There were tears in her eyes. Hunch gripped her hand tightly. “Oh, John,” she faltered; but this time she did not say that she was sorry. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little World, by Samuel Merwin