The young man did not appear to be inconvenienced. He caressed her
hair while he spoke:
"From here to Belfort," he was saying in his musing, agreeable
voice, "and from Belfort to Paris; and from Paris to London, and
from London to Strathlone Head, and from Strathlone Head to Glenark
Cliffs, and from Glenark Cliffs to Isla Water, and from Isla
Water--to our home! Our home, Yellow-hair," he repeated. "What do you
think of that?"
"I think you have forgotten the parson's house on the way. You are
immoral, Kay."
"Can't a Yank sky-pilot in Paris--"
"Darling, I must have some clothing!"
"Can't you get things in Paris?"
"Yes, if you'll wait and not become impatient for Isla. And I warn
you, Kay, I simply won't marry you until I have some decent gowns
and underwear."
"You don't care for me as much as I do for you," he murmured in lazy
happiness.
"I care for you more. I've cared for you longer, too."
"How long, Yellow-hair?"
"Ever--ever since your head lay on my knees in my car a year ago
last winter! You know it, too," she added. "You are a spoiled young
man. I shall not tell you again how much I care for you!"
"Say 'love',' Yellow-hair," he coaxed.
"No!"
"Don't you?"
"Don't I what?"
"Love me?"
"Yes."
"Then won't you say it?"
She laughed contentedly. Then her warm head moved a little on his
shoulder; he looked down; lightly their lips joined.
"Kay--my dear--dear Kay," she whispered.
"There's somebody opening the garden door," she said under her
breath, and sat bolt upright.
McKay also sat up on his steamer chair.
"Oh!" he cried gaily, "hello, Recklow! Where on earth have you been
for three days?"
Recklow came into the rose arbour. The blossoms were gone from the
vines but it was a fragrant, golden place into which the September
sun filtered. He lifted Miss Erith's hand and kissed it gravely.
"How are you?" he inquired.
"Perfectly well, and ready for Paris!" she said smilingly.
Recklow shook hands with McKay.
"You'll want a furlough, too," he remarked. "I'll fix it. How do you
feel, McKay?"
"All right. Has anything come out of our report on the Great
Secret?"
Recklow seated himself and they listened in strained silence to his
careful report. Once Evelyn caught her breath and Recklow paused and
turned to look at her.
"There were thousands and thousands of insane down there under the
earth," she said pitifully.
"Yes," he nodded.
"Did--did they all die?"
"Are the insane not better dead, Miss Erith?" he asked calmly....
And continued his recital.
That evening there was a full moon over the garden. Recklow lingered
with them after dinner for a while, discussing the beginning of the
end of all things Hunnish. For Foch was striking at last; Pershing
was moving; Haig, Gouraud, Petain, all were marching toward the
field of Armageddon. They conversed for a while, the men smoking.
Then Recklow went away across the dewy grass, followed by two frisky
and factious cats.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account