第35章

The early risen moon shone from a cloudless sky and there was so little breeze that the Japanese lanterns, hung above the tables, went out only occasionally.The "beauty and elite of Denboro"--see next week's Cape Cod Item--were present in force and, mingling with them, or, if not mingling, at least inspecting them with interest, were some of the early arrivals among the cottagers from South Denboro and Bayport.I saw Lute, proudly conscious of his new lavender trousers, in conversation with Matilda Dean, and Iwondered who was the winner in that wordy race.Captain Jedediah strutted arm in arm with the minister.Thoph Newcomb and Alvin Baker were there with their wives.Simeon Eldredge had not yet put in an appearance but I knew that he would as soon as the evening mail was sorted.

I found Nellie Dean in charge of a table, and George Taylor seated at that table.I walked over and joined them.

"Good evening, Nellie," said I."Well, George, here I am, you see."He shook my hand heartily."I see you are," he said."Good boy!

How does it seem to splash into society?""I haven't splashed yet.I have only just arrived.""Oh, trying the feel of the water, hey? Guess you won't find it very chilly.As a preparatory tonic I'd recommend strawberries and cream.Nellie, get Ros a saucer of those genuine home-raised berries, why don't you?"Nellie laughed."Roscoe," she said, "isn't he dreadful! He knows we bought these berries in Boston.It's much too early for the native ones.But they really are very nice, though he does make such fun of them."She went into the vestry to get the berries and I sat down at the table beside Taylor and looked about me.

"Most everybody's here," he observed."And they'll be glad to see you, Ros.Get out and shake hands and be sociable, after you've done your duty by the fruit.How are things at home?""Mother is herself again, I am glad to say.George, I have scarcely thought of anything except what you told me the other night.""Then it's time you did.That's one reason why I wanted you to come here.You've been thinking too much about yourself.""It isn't of myself, but of Mother.If you had dropped a hint when that Boston reporter came--""Now, look here, Ros, would YOU have dropped hints if things had been the other way around?""I don't know."

"I know you wouldn't.What's the use of giving the Denboro gossip mill a chance to run over time? Great heavens! it works twelve hours a day as 'tis.""It was mighty good of you, just the same.""No, it wasn't.The whole affair was your business and nobody else's.""Well, as I said before, if ever I have an opportunity to do as much for you--not that I ever will.""How do you know you won't? Anybody's liable to be gossiped about some time or other.""Not you.You are Denboro's shining light.The mothers and fathers here point you out as an example of what industry and ambition and honest effort may rise to.I--""Shut up!" He said it almost savagely."There!" he added, quickly, "let's change the subject.Talk about something worth while.Humph! I guess they must be opening another crate of those Boston 'homegrowns,' judgin' by the time it takes Nellie to get your sample.""I am in no hurry.How are affairs at the bank?""Oh, so, so.Don't know a good man who wants a job, do you? Henry Small's going to leave the middle of next month.""Small, the bookkeeper? Why?"

"Got a better chance up to the city.I don't blame him.Don't tell anybody yet; it's a secret.Say, Ros, DO you know of a good, sharp, experienced fellow?"I smiled."Is it likely?" I asked."How large is my acquaintance among sharp, experienced fellows down here?""Not so large as it ought to be, I'll give in to that.But you know one.""Do I, indeed? Who is he?"

"Yourself.You wouldn't take Small's job, would you?""I?" I laughed aloud.

"It's no joke.You've had a lot of banking experience.I've heard about it among my city friends, who don't know I know you.Course I realize the place is way beneath what you ought to have, but--""Oh, don't be sarcastic.No, thank you, George.""All right, if you say so.But I meant it.You don't need the salary, I know.But--Ros, do you mind if I talk plain for a moment?"I wondered what was coming now."No," I answered."Go ahead and talk.""Well then, I tell you, as a friend, that 'twould be a good thing for you if you did take that job, or some other one.Don't make much matter what it is, but you ought to do something.You're too clever a fellow to be hanging around, shooting and fishing.You're wasting your life.""That was wasted long ago."

"No, it wasn't.But it will be if you don't change pretty soon.Itell you you ought to get interested in something that counts.You might make a big name for yourself yet.""That's enough of that.I have a name already.You know it, and you know what was made of it.""YOU didn't make it that kind of a name, did you? And you're young enough to make it something altogether different.You ought to.

You owe it to your mother and you owe it to yourself.As it is, if you keep on, you'll--""George, you've said enough.No one but you would have been permitted to say as much.You don't understand.""Maybe not, but, Ros, I don't like to have people around here call you--""I don't care a continental what they call me.I don't want them to know who I am, but for public opinion generally I care nothing."He leaned back in his chair.His face was in shadow and I could not see it, but his tone was grave enough.

"You think you don't," he said, slowly, "but there may come a time when you will.There may come a time when you get so interested in something, or some person, that the thought of what folks would say if--if anything went wrong would keep you awake night after night.

Oh, I tell you, Ros-- Hello, Nellie! thought you'd gone South to pick those berries yourself.Two saucers full! Well, I suppose Imust eat the other to save it--unless Ros here wants both."I said one would be quite sufficient for the present, and we three chatted until Mrs.Dean came over and monopolized the chat.