The man laughed out. “You don’t need to worry. I’m going to lend them my yacht for a trip.” “Both on ’em?” asked Uncle William. His puzzled face gazed at the man. “Yes.” Uncle William stared. Then the light dawned. “Right off?” he demanded. “Right off,” said the man. “And when they come back, the house will be ready for them.” Uncle William glowed. “They goin’ to live with you?” “I hope so.” “Well, well!” He rubbed his great knees thoughtfully with either hand. “I wouldn’t ever ’a’ thought o’ that. And the Lord himself couldn’t ’a’ planned anything better ’n that.” “Thank you,” said the man, smiling. “Jest the right thing,” went on Uncle William. “And byme-by there’ll be little toddlers--gettin’ over the rocks between here and there.” “Yes.” “And settin’ by the fire, warmin’ their toes and eatin’ tarts jest the way we used to.” “Just the same,” said the man. Uncle William mused thoughtfully. The light of flitting memories was in his face. The man on the lounge watched him through the high-perched glasses. Presently he took off the glasses and rubbed them on his handkerchief. Then he blew his nose. Uncle William looked up. The smile on his face was beautiful and tender and full of light. “Where be they?” he said. XXV They were standing by a great rock at the foot of the cliff. The afternoon had slipped away and the harbor was full of changing light, but the artist’s back was turned to it. He was looking into two little round mirrors of light. Perhaps he saw the harbor reflected there. He saw everything else--the whole round world, swinging in space, and life and death. He bent closer to them. “Why didn’t you write?” reproachfully. “Uncle William wouldn’t let me.” “Uncle William!” She nodded. “He told me not to write. He said you would get well faster if you had something to bother you.” The demure face was full of glinting lights. “He seemed to think that is what we are made for--mostly. He’s an old dear!” she added. “He is!” He had gained possession of the quick-moving hand. “I shall keep you now that I have you--” “Yes.” “--for that very purpose!” She smiled quietly. “I’ll try to live up to it. You took the prize, you know.” He caged the other hand. “Bother the prize! There’s only one thing I want.” Her lip trembled a little. He watched it jealously. He bent and touched the trembling line. The world was blotted out--sun and bay and wheeling sky. A new world was born--of two souls and swift desire. The heart of the universe opened to them. When they drew apart, her eyes were lighted with tears. He wiped them away slowly, holding the prisoned hands. “We will not wait,” he whispered. “No,” half breathed. “In a week?” insistently. “Yes.” “To-morrow?” imperiously. The laughter had come back to her eyes. “To-day!” She freed her hands. “Come.” He was searching her face. “You mean it?” “Why not? They will be glad to get rid of us.” She lifted a laughing gesture to the cliff. “They?”