第5章
"Ishouldn’tthinkyouwouldbe。Hauledinbodily，asyoumightsay，andshutupinaroomtofightwasps！Andbyfolksyouneversawaforeanddon’tknowfromAdam！Youneedn’tapologize。I’dforgiveyouifyousaidsomethin’agooddealworse’nthat。I’mlongpasttheagewhereI’msensitiveaboutmyweight，thankgoodness。"
"AndweAREsomuchobligedtoyou。"Thegirlwasfacinghimoncemore，andshewasserious，thoughthecornersofhermouthstilltwitched。"Thewholeaffairisperfectlyridiculous，"shesaid，"butMrs。BascomwasfrightenedandsowasI——whenIhadtimetorealizeit。Thankyouagain。"
"You’requitewelcome，I’msure。Notroubleatall。"
Theassistantturnedtogo。Hisbrainwasbeginningtoregainalittleofitsnormalpoise，andhewasdimlyconsciousthathehadbeenabsentfromdutyquitelongenough。
"Maybeyou’dliketoknowwho’tisyou’vehelped，"observedthestoutwoman。"And，considerin’thatwe’relikelytobenext-doorneighborsforaspell，Ical’lateintroductionsaretheproperthing。Myname’sBascom。I’mhousekeeperforMissRuthGraham。
ThisisMissGraham。"
Theyoungladyofferedahand。Browntookit。
"Graham？"herepeated。"Where？"Then，rememberingaportionofwhatSethhadtoldhim，headded，"Isee！the——theartist？"
"Mybrotherisanartist。Heandhisfriend，Mr。Hamilton，ownthisbungalow。Theyareabroadthissummer，andIamgoingtocamphereforafewweeks——Mrs。BascomandI。Ipaintalittle，too，butonlyforfun。"
Brownmurmuredaconventionalityconcerninghisdelightatmeetingthepair，andoncemoreheadedforthedoor。ButMrs。Bascom’scuriositywouldnotpermithimtoescapesoeasily。
"Ithought，"shesaid，"whenIseeyoustandin’overtherebythelights，thatyoumustbeoneofthekeepers。Nottheheadkeeper——I
knewyouwa’n’thim——butanassistant，maybe。ButIguessyou’reonlyavisitor，Mister——Mister——？"
"Brown。"
"Yes，Mr。Brown。Iguessyouain’tnokeeper，areyou？"
"Iamtheassistantkeeperatpresent。Yes。"
"Youdon’tsay！"Mrs。Bascomlookedsurprised。So，too，didMissGraham。"Youdon’tlooklikealighthousekeeper，"continuedtheformer。"Oh，Idon’tmeanyourclothes！"noticingtheyoungman’sembarrassedglanceathiswetandfarfromimmaculategarments。"I
meanthewayyoutalkandact。Youain’tbeenherelong，haveyou？"
"No。"
"Justcomethissummer？"
"Yes。"
"Ithoughtso。Youain’taCapeCodder？"
"No。"
"Iwassureyouwa’n’t。WhereDOyoucomefrom？"
Brownhesitated。MissGraham，noticinghishesitation，hastenedtoendtheinquisition。
"Mr。Browncan’tstoptoanswerquestions，Mrs。Bascom，"shesaid。
"I’msurehewantstogetbacktohiswork。Goodmorning，Mr。
Brown。Nodoubtweshallseeeachotheroften，beingtheonlyneighborsinsight。Callagain——do。Isolemnlypromisethatyoushallhavetofightnomorewasps。"
"Say！"Thestoutwomantookastepforward。"Speakin’ofwasps……
standstillaminute，Mr。Brown，won’tyou。What’sthemlumpsonyourforehead？Why，Idobelieveyou’vebeenbit。Youhave，sureandsartin！"
MissGrahamwasverymuchconcerned。"Oh，no！"sheexclaimed；"I
hopenot。Letmesee。"
"No，indeed！"Theassistantwasonthestepbythistimeandmovingrapidly。"Nothingatall。Noconsequence。Goodmorning。"
Healmostrandownthehillandcrossedthecreekatthewadingplace。Ashesplashedthrough，thevoiceofthehousekeeperreachedhisears。
"Coldmud’sthebestthing，"shescreamed。"Putitonthick。Ittakesoutthesmart。Goodandthick，mind！"
Forthenexthourortwothelightkeeper’shelpermovedabouthishouseholdtasksinacuriousframeofmind。Hewasthoroughlyangry——orthoughthewas——andverymuchdisturbed。Neighborsofanykindwerelikelytobeaconfoundednuisance，buttwowomen！
Heavens！Andthestoutwomanwassuretoberunninginforcallsandtoborrowthings。Asfortheother，sheseemedanicegirlenough，butheneverwantedtoseeanothergirl，niceorotherwise。
Hereyeswerepretty，sowasherhair，butwhatofit？Oh，hangtheluck！Justherehebangedhisswollenforeheadonthesharpedgeofthedoor，andfoundreliefinprofanity。
SethAtkinswasprofane，also，whenheheardthenews。Brownsaidnothinguntilhissuperiordiscoveredwithhisowneyesthatthebungalowwasopen。Then，inanswertothelightkeeper’squestions，camethedisclosureofthetruth。
"Women！"roaredSeth。"Yousaythere’stwoWOMENgoin’tolivethere？ByJudas！Idon’tbelieveit！"
"Goandseeforyourself，then，"wasthebrusqueanswer。
"Isha’n’t，neither。Whotoldyou？"
"Theydid。"
"TheyDID？Wasyouthere？"
"Yes。"
"Whatfor？Ithoughtyousworenevertogonighawomanagain。"
"Idid，but——well，itwasn’tmyfault。I——"
"Yes？Goon。"
"IwentbecauseIcouldn’thelpmyself。Wenttohelpsomeoneelse，infact。IexpectedtofindGrahamandthatotherartist。But——"
"Well，goON。"
"Iwasstung，"saidMr。Brown，gloomily，andrubbedhisforehead。
CHAPTERIX
THEBUNGALOWGIRL
Duringthefollowingdaytheoccupantsofthelightkeeper’sdwellingsawlittleornothingofthenewcomersatthebungalow。Brown，hisforeheadresemblingasectionofareliefmapoftheRockyMountains，remainedindoorsasmuchaspossible，workingwhentherewasanythingtodo，andreadingback-numbermagazineswhentherewasnot。Sethwent，asusual，tohisroomsoonafternoon。Hisslumbersmust，however，havebeenfitfulones，forseveraltimesthesubstituteassistant，turningquickly，sawthebedroomdoorswingsilentlyshut。ThethirdtimethatthishappenedherantothedoorandthrewitopeninseasontocatchMr。Atkinsinanundignifieddiveforthebed。Atremendoussnorefollowedthedive。Theyoungmanregardedhiminsilenceforafewmoments，duringwhichthesnorescontinued。Thenheshookhishead。
"Humph！"hesoliloquized；"Imust’phoneforthedoctoratonce。
Eitherthedoctororthesuperintendent。Ifhehasdevelopedthathabit，heisn’tfitforthisjob。"
Heturnedaway。Theslumbererstirreduneasily，rolledover，openedoneeye，andsatup。
"Hi！"hecalled。"Comebackhere！Whereyougoin’？"
Brownreturned，lookingsurprisedandanxious。
"Oh！"heexclaimed，"areyouawake？"
"CourseI’mawake！Whatafoolquestionthatis。ThinkI’msettin’
uphereandtalkin’inmysleep？"
"Well，Ididn’tknow。"
"Whydidn’tyouknow？And，seehere！whatdidyoumeanbysayin’
youwasgoin’to’phonethedoctororthesuperintendent，oneort’other？Yes，yousaidit。Iheardyou。"
"Oh，no！youdidn’t。"
"TellyouIdid。Heardyouwithmyownears。"
"Buthowcouldyou？Youweren’tawake。"
"CourseIwasawake！Couldn’thaveheardyouunlessIwas，couldI？
Whatailsyou？Themstingsgoclearthroughtoyourbrains，didthey？"
AgainBrownshookhishead。
"Thisisdreadful！"hemurmured。"Hewalksinhissleep，andsnoreswhenhe’sawake。IMUSTcallthedoctor。"
"What——what——"Thelightkeeper’swrathwasinterferingwithhisutterance。Heswunghislegsoverthesideofthebedandsputteredincoherently。
"Becalm，Atkins，"coaxedtheassistant。"Don’tcomplicateyourdiseasesbyaddinghearttrouble。ThreetimestodayI’vecaughtyoupeepingatmethroughthecrackofthatdoor。WithinfifteensecondsofthelastpeepIfindyousnoring。Therefore，Isay——"
"Aw，belay！Iwasonly——onlyjustlookin’outtoseewhattimeitwas。"
"Butyoumusthavedoneitinyoursleep，because——"
"Inever。Iwaswideawakeasyoube。"
"Butwhydidyousnore？Youcouldn’thavefallenasleepbetweenthedoorandthebed。Andyouhadn’tquitereachedthebedwhenIgothere。"
"I——I——I——Aw，shutup！"
Brownsmiledblandly。"Iwill，"hesaid，"providedyoupromisetokeepthisdoorshutanddon’tdoanymorespying。"
"Spyin’？Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"
"JustwhatIsaid。YouandIhadadiscussionconcerningthatsamepracticewhenIfelloverthebankattheSloughawhileago。Iwasnotspyingthen，butyouthoughtIwas，andyoudidn’tlikeit。NowIthinkyouare，andIdon’tlikeit。"
"Wh——what——whatwouldIbespyin’onyoufor？Wh——whatreasonwouldIhavefordoin’it？"
"Nogoodreason；becauseIhavenointentionofvisitingournewneighbors——nonewhatever。Thatbeingunderstood，perhapsyou’llshutthedoorandkeepitshut。"
Sethlookedsheepishandguilty。
"Well，"hesaid，afteramoment’sreflection，"Ibegyourpardon。
ButIcouldn’thelpfeelin’kindofuneasy。I——Ioughttoknowbetter，Is’pose；but，withayoung，good-lookin’girllandedunexpectedrightnexttous，I——I——"
"Howdidyouknowshewasgood-looking？Ididn’tmentionherlooks。"
"No，youdidn’t，but——but……JohnBrown，I’vebeenyoungmyself，andIknowthatatyouragemostANYgirl’sgood-lookin’。There！"
Hedeliveredthisbitofwisdomwithemphasisandasavagenodofthehead。Brownhadnoanswerready，thatis，norelevantanswer。
"Yougotobedandshutthedoor，"herepeated，turningtogo。
"Allright，Iwill。Butdon’tyouforgetouragreement。"
"Ihavenointentionofforgettingit。"
"WhatAREyougoin’todo？"
"Do？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imeanwhatareyougoin’todonowthatthingsdownhere’schanged，andyouandmeain’talone，sameaswewas？"
"Idon’tknow。I’mnotsurethatIsha’n’tleave——clearout。"
"What？Clearout？Runawayandleavemealoneto——to……Bytime！Ididn’tthinkyouwasadeserter。"
Thesubstituteassistantlaughedbitterly。"Youneedn’tworry，"hesaid。"Icouldn’tgofar，evenifIwantedto。Ihaven’tanymoney。"
"That’sso。"Sethwasevidentlyrelieved。"Allright，"heobserved；"don’tyouworry。’Twon’tbebutacoupleofmonthsanyway，andwe’llfightitthroughtogether。Butain’titashame！
Ain’titaneverlastin’shamethatthishadtohappenjustaswe’dcometounderstandeachotherandwassocontentedandfriendly！
Well，there’sonlyonethingtodo；that’stomakethebestofitforusandtheworstforthem。We’llkeeptoourselvesandpaynoattentiontoemnomore’niftheywa’n’tthere。We’llforget’emaltogether；hey？……Isaywe’llforget’emaltogether，won’twe？"
Brown’sanswerwasshortandsharp。
"Yes，"hesaid，andslammedthedoorbehindhim。Sethslowlyshookhisheadbeforehelaiditonthepillow。Hewasnotentirelyeasyinhismind，evenyet。
However，therewasnomorespying，andthelightkeeperdidnotmentionthebungalowtenantswhenheappearedatsuppertime。Afterthemealheboltedtothelights，andwasonwatchinthetowerwhenhishelperretired。
EarlythenextafternoonBrowndescendedthepathtotheboathouse。
Hehadomittedhisswimthedaybefore。Now，however，heintendedtohaveit。Simplybecausethosefemalenuisanceshadseenfittointrudewheretheyhadnobusinesswasnoreasonwhyheshouldresignallpleasure。Hegaveaquickglanceupwardattheoppositebankashereachedthewharf。Therewasnosignoflifeaboutthebungalow。
Heenteredtheboathouse，undressed，anddonnedhisbathingsuit。
Inafewminuteshewasready，and，emerginguponthewharf，walkedbrisklybackalongtheshoreofthecreektowhereitwidenedintothecove。Thereheplungedin，andwassoonluxuriatinginthecool，clearwater。
Heswamwithlong，confidentstrokes，thoseofapracticedswimmer。
Thiswasworthwhile。Itwastheoneplacewherehecouldforgetthathewasnolongertheonlysonofawealthyfather，heirtoarespectedname——whichwasNOTBrown——ayoungmanwithallsortsofbrilliantprospects；couldforgetthathewasnowadisinheritedvagabond，aloaferwhohadbeenunabletosecurearespectableposition，anoutcast。Heswamanddoveandsplashed，rejoicinginhisstrengthandyouthandthefreedomofalloutdoors。
Then，ashelaylazilypaddlingindeepwater，heheardtherattleofgravelonthesteepbankoftheothersideofthecove。Lookingup，hesaw，tohishugedisgust，afemalefigureinatrimbathingsuitdescendingtheblufffromthebungalow。Itwasthegirlwhohadlefthimtofightthewasps。Herdarkhairwascoveredwithajauntilytiedcoloredhandkerchief，and，againsttheyellowsandofthebluff，shemadeaveryprettypicture。NotthatBrownwasinterested，butshedid，nevertheless。
Shesawhimandwavedahand。"Goodmorning，"shecalled。
"Beautifuldayforaswim，isn’tit？"
"Yes，"growledtheyoungman，brusquely。Heturnedandbegantoswimintheoppositedirection，upthecove。Thegirllookedafterhim，raisedapuzzledeyebrow，andthen，withashrug，wadedintothewater。Thenexttimetheassistantlookedather，shewasswimmingwithlong，sweepingstrokesdownthenarrowcreektothebendandthedeepholeattheendofthewharf。Roundthatbendandthroughthatholethetidewhirled，likearapid，outintotheminiaturebaybehindBlackMan’sPoint。ItwasagainstthattidethatSethAtkinshadwarnedhim。
Andthegirlwasswimmingdirectlytowardthedangerousnarrows。
Browngrowledanexclamationofdisgust。Hehadnomindtocontinuetheacquaintance，andyethecouldn’tpermithertodothat。
"MissGraham！"hecalled。"Oh，MissGraham！"
Sheheardhim，butdidnotstop。
"Yes？"shecalledinanswer，continuingtoswim。"Whatisit？"
"Youmustn’t——"shoutedBrown。Thenherememberedthathemustnotshout。Shoutingmightawakenthelightkeeper，andthelatterwouldmisunderstandthesituation，ofcourse。Sohecuthiswarningtooneword。
"Wait！"hecalled，andbeganswimmingtowardher。Shedidnotcometomeethim，butmerelyceasedswimmingandturnedonherbacktofloat。And，floating，thetidewouldcarryheronalmostasrapidlyasifsheassistedit。Thattidedidnotneedanyassistance。
Brownswungonhissideandsettledintotheracingstroke，thestrokewhichhadwonhimcupsattheathleticclub。
Hereachedherinatimesoshortthatshewassurprisedintoanadmiringcomment。
"Oh！"sheexclaimed，"youCANswim！"
Hedidnotthankherforthecompliment。Therewasnotimeforthat，evenifhehadfeltlikeit。
"Youshouldn’tbehere，"hesaidsharply。
Shelookedathim。
"Why，whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。
"Itisn’tsafe。Alittlefarther，andthetidewouldcarryyououttosea。Comeback，backuptothecoveatonce。"
Heexpectedhertoaskmorequestions，butshedidnot。Insteadsheturnedandstruckoutinsilence。Againstthetide，eventhere，thepullwastremendous。
"ShallIhelpyou？"heasked。
"No，Icanmakeit。"
Andshedid。Itwashisturntobesurprisedintoadmiration。
"ByJove！"hepanted，astheyswungintothequietwaterofthecoveandstooderectintheshallows，"thatwasgreat！Youareagoodswimmer。"
"Thankyou，"sheanswered，breathlessly。"ItWASatug，wasn’tit？
Thankyouforwarningme。Nowtellmeaboutthedangerousplaces，please。"
Hetoldher，repeatingSeth’stalesofthetide’sstrength。
"Butitissafeenoughhere？"sheasked。
"Oh，yes！perfectlysafeanywherethissideofthenarrowpart——thecreek。"
"I’msoglad。Thiswaterisglorious，andIbegantobeafraidI
shouldhavetogiveitup。"
"Thecreek，andeventhebayitselfaresafeenoughatflood，"hewenton。"Ioftengotherethen。Whenthetideiscominginitisallrightevenfor——"
Hepaused。Shefinishedthesentenceforhim。"Evenforagirl，youweregoingtosay。"Shewadedforwardtowheretheshoalendedandthedeeperpartbegan。Theresheturnedtolookathimoverhershoulder。
"I’mgoingtothatbeachoverthere，"shesaid，pointingacrossthecove。"Doyouwanttorace？"
Withoutwaitingtoseewhetherhedidornot，shestruckoutforthebeach。And，withoutstoppingtoconsiderwhyhedidit，theyoungmanfollowedher。
Theracewasnotsoone-sided。Brownwonitbysomeyards，buthehadtoworkhard。Hiscompetitordidnotgiveupwhenshefoundherselffallingbehind，butwasgametotheend。
"Well，"shegasped，"youbeatme，didn’tyou？Inevercouldgetthatsidestroke，andit’seversomuchfaster。"
"It’ssimpleenough。Justaknack。I’llteachyouifyoulike。"
"Willyou？That’ssplendid。"
"Youarethestrongestswimmer，MissGraham，foragirl，thatIeversaw。Youmusthavepracticedagreatdeal。"
"Yes，Horace——mybrother——taughtme。Heisasplendidswimmer，oneoftheverybest。"
"HoraceGraham？Why，youdon’tmeanHoraceGrahamoftheHarvardAthletic？"
"Yes，Ido。Heismybrother。Buthow……Doyouknowhim？"
Thesurpriseinhertonewasevident。Brownbithislip。HerememberedthatCapeCodlightkeepers’helperswerenot，asausualthing，supposedtobewidelyacquaintedincollegeathleticcircles。
"Ihavemethim，"hestammered。
"Butwhere——"shebegan；andthen，"why，ofcourse！youmethimhere。Iforgotthathehasbeenyourneighborforthreesummers。"
Theassistanthadforgottenit，too，buthewasthankfulforthereminder。
"Yes。Yes，certainly，"hesaid。Sheregardedhimwithapuzzledlook。
"It’soddhedidn’tmentionyou，"sheobserved。"Hehastoldmeagreatdealaboutthebungalow，andtheseaviews，andthelonelinessandthequaintnessofitall。Thatwaswhatmademewishtospendamonthdownhereandexperienceitmyself。Andhehasoftenspoken，"
withanirrepressiblesmile，"ofyour——ofthelightkeeper，Mr。
Atkins。Thatishisname，isn’tit？"
"Yes。"
"Iwanttomeethim。Horacesaidhewas——well，ratherodd，but，whenyouknewhim，afinefellowandfullofdryhumor。I’msureI
shouldlikehim。"
Brownsmiled，also——andbroadly。HementallypicturedSeth’sreceptionofthenewsthathewas"liked"bytheyoungladyacrossthecove。Andthenitoccurredtohim，withstartlingsuddenness，thathehadbeenconversingveryfamiliarlywiththatyounglady，notwithstandingthesolemninterchangeofvowsbetweenthelightkeeperandhimself。
"Imustbegoing，"hesaidhastily；"goodmorning，MissGraham。"
Hewadedtotheshoreandstroderapidlybacktowardtheboathouse。
Hiscompanioncalledafterhim。
"Ishallexpectyouto-morrowafternoon，"shesaid。"You’vepromisedtoteachmethatsidestroke，remember。"
Browndressedinagreathurryandclimbedthepathtothelightsatthedoublequick。Allwassafeandsereneinthehouse，andhebreathedmorefreely。Atkinswassoundasleep，reallyasleep，inthebedroom，andwhenheemergedhewasevidentlyquiteunawareofhishelper’sunpremeditatedtreason。Brown’sconscienceprickedhim，however，andhewenttobedthatnightvowingoverandoverthathewouldbemorecarefulthereafter。HewouldtakecarenottomeettheGrahamgirlagain。Havingreachedthisdecision，thereremainednothingbuttoputheroutofhismindentirely；whichhesucceededindoingataquarteraftereleven，whenhefellasleep。
Eventhenshewasnotentirelyabsent，forhedreamedaridiculousdreamabouther。
Nextdayhedidnotgoforaswim，butremainedinthehouse。Seth，atsupper，demandedtoknowwhatailedhim。
"You’reasmumastheoldestinhabitantofadeafanddumbasylum，"
wasthelightkeeper’scomment。"Anduglyasabullinflytime。
Whatailsyou？"
"Nothing。"
"Humph！bettertakesomethin’forit，seemstome。Little’StomachBalm，’hey？No？Well，GOtobed！Yourroom’senoughsightbetter’nyourcompanyjustnow。"
Thehelper’sillnaturewasinevidenceagainatbreakfasttime。
Sethendeavoredtojokehimoutofit，but，notsucceeding，andfindinghisbestjokesreceivedwithgroansinsteadoflaughter，gaveitupindisgustandretired。Theyoungmanclearedthetable，piledthedishesinthesink，heatedakettlefulofwaterandbegantheday’sdrudgery，drudgerywhichheoncethoughtwasfun。
Whyhadhehadtheilllucktofalloverboardfromthatsteamer。Orwhydidn’thedrownwhenhedidfalloverboard？Thenhewouldhavebeencomfortablydead，atallevents。Whyhadn’thestayedinNewYorkorBostonorsomewhereandkeptontryingforaposition，forwork——anykindofwork？Hemighthavestarvedwhiletrying，butpeoplewhowerestarvingwereself-respecting，andwhentheymetotherpeople——forinstance，sistersoffellowstheyusedtoknow——
hadnothingtobeashamedofandneedn’tlie——unlesstheywantedto。
Hewasacommonloafer，underafalsename，downonasandheapwashingdishes。Atthispointhedroppedoneofthedishes——aplate——andbrokeit。
"D——n！"observedJohnBrown，underhisbreath，butwithenthusiasm。
Hestoopedtopickupthefragmentsoftheplate，and，risingoncemoretoanerectposition，foundhimselffacingMissRuthGraham。
Shewasstandinginthedoorway。
"Don’tmindme，please，"shesaid。"NodoubtIshouldfeelthesamewayifitweremyplate。"
Theyoungman’sfirstmove，afterrecovery，wastomakesurethatthedoorbetweenthekitchenandthehallleadingtothelightkeeper’sbedroomwasshut。Itwas，fortunately。Theyoungladywatchedhiminsilence，thoughhereyeswereshining。
"Goodmorning，Mr。Brown，"sheobserved，gravely。
Theassistantmurmuredagoodmorning，fromforceofhabit。
"There’sanotherpieceyouhaven’tpickedup，"continuedthevisitor，pointing。
Brownpickedupthepiece。
"IsMr。Atkinsin？"inquiredthegirl。
"Yes，he’s——he’sin。"
"MayIseehim，please？"
"I——I——"
"Ifhe’sbusy，Icanwait。"Sheseatedherselfinachair。"Don’tletmeinterruptyou，"shecontinued。"Youwerebusy，too，weren’tyou？"
"Iwaswashingdishes，"declaredBrown，savagely。
"Oh！"
"Yes。Washingandsweepinganddoingscrubwoman’sworkaremyregularemployments。"
"Indeed！ThenI’mjustintimetohelp。Isthisthedishtowel？"
regardingitdubiously。
"Itis，butIdon’tneedanyhelp，thankyou。"
"Ofcourseyoudo。Everyoneisgladtobehelpedatdoingdishes。
ImayaswellmakemyselfusefulwhileI’mwaitingforMr。Atkins。"
Shepickedupaplatterandproceededtowipeit，quiteasamatterofcourse。Brown，swearinginwardly，turnedfiercelytothesuds。
"DidyouwishtoseeAtkinsonparticularbusiness？"heasked，amomentlater。
"Oh，no；Iwantedtomakehisacquaintance，that’sall。Horacetoldmesomanyinterestingthingsabouthim。Bytheway，wasitlastsummer，orthesummerbefore，thatyoumetmybrotherhere？"
Noanswer。MissGrahamrepeatedherquestion。"Wasitlastsummerorthesummerbefore？"sheasked。
"Oh——er——Idon’tremember。Lastsummer，Ithink。"
"Why，youmustremember。Howcouldanyoneforgetanythingthathappeneddownhere？Sofewthingsdohappen，Ishouldsay。Soyoumethimlastsummer？"
"Yes。"
"Hum！that’sodd。"
"ShallIcallAtkins？He’sinhisroom。"
"Isayitisodd，because，whenMrs。BascomandIfirstmetyou，youtoldusthiswasyourfirstsummerhere。"
Therewasn’tanyanswertothis；atleasttheassistantcouldthinkofnoneatthemoment。
"DoyouwishmetocallAtkins？"heasked，sharply。"He’sasleep，butIcanwakehim。"
"Oh！he’sasleep。NowIunderstandwhyyouwhisperevenwhenyousw——thatis，whenyoubreakaplate。Youwereafraidofwakinghim。Howconsiderateyouare。"
Brownputdownthedishcloth。"Itisn’taltogetherconsiderationforhim——orformyself，"hesaidgrimly。"Ididn’tcaretowakehimunlessyoutooktheresponsibility。"
"Why？"
"Because，MissGraham，SethAtkinstookthepositionoflightkeeperherealmostforthesolereasonthatnowomenevercamehere。Mr。
Atkinsisawoman-haterofthemostrabidtype。I’llwakehimupifyouwish，butIwon’tberesponsiblefortheconsequences。"
Theyoungladystaredathiminsurprise，delightedsurpriseapparently，judgingbytheexpressionofherface。
"Awoman-hater？"sherepeated。"Ishereally？"
"Heis。"Mr。Brownneglectedtoaddthathealsohaddeclaredhimselfamemberofthesamefraternity。Perhapshethoughtitwasnotnecessary。
"Awoman-hater！"MissGrahamfairlybubbledwithmischievousjoy。
"Oh，jolly！nowI’mCRAZYtomeethim！"
Theassistantmovedtowardthehalldoor。"Verygood！"heobservedwithgrimdetermination。"Ithinkhe’llcureyourlunacy。"
Hishandwasoutstretchedtowardthelatch，whentheyoungladyspokeagain。
"Waitaminute，"shesaid。"PerhapsIhadbetternotwakehimnow。"
"Justasyousay。Thepleasureis——orwillbe——entirelymine，I
assureyou。"
"No——o。Onthewhole，IthinkI’llwaituntillater。Imaycallagain。Goodmorning。"
Shemovedacrossthethreshold。Then，standingonthemicaslabwhichwasthesteptothekitchendoor，sheturnedtosay：
"Youdidn’tswimyesterday。"
"No——o。I——Iwasbusy。"
"Isee。"
Shepaused，asifexpectinghimtosaysomethingfurtheronthesubject。Hewassilent。Hermannerchanged。
"Goodmorning，"shesaid，coldly，andwalkedoff。Theassistantwatchedherasshedescendedthepathtothecove，butshedidnotoncelookback。Brownthrewhimselfintoachair。Hehadneverhatedanyoneasthoroughlyashehatedhimselfatthemoment。
"WhatacheerfulliarshemustthinkIam，"hereflected。"Shecaughtmeinthatfoolyarnaboutmeetingherbrotherherelastsummer；andnow，afterdeliberatelypromisingtoteachherthatstroke，Idon’tgonearher。WhatamiserableliarshemustthinkI
am！AndIguessIam。ByGeorge，Ican’tbesuchacad。I’vegottomakegoodsomehow。ImustgiveherONElesson。Imust。"
Thetideservedforbathingaboutthreethatafternoon。AttenminutesbeforethathourthesubstituteassistantkeeperofEastboroTwin-Lightstiptoedsilentlytothebedroomofhissuperiorandpeepedin。Sethwassnoringpeacefully。Brownstealthilywithdrew。
Atthree，precisely，heemergedfromtheboathouseonthewharf，cladinhisbathingsuit。
Fifteenminutesafterthree，SethAtkins，inhisstockingfeetandwithsuspicioninhiseye，creptalongthepathtotheedgeofthebluff。Crouchingbehindaconvenientsandduneheraisedhisheadandpeeredoverit。
Belowhimwasthecove，itspleasantwatersasmooth，deepblue，streakedandborderedwithpalegreen。ButthewateritselfdidnotinterestSeth。Inthatwaterwashishelper，JohnBrown，ofnowhereinparticular，JohnBrown，thehateroffemales，busilyengagedinteachingayoungwomantoswim。
Atkinswatchedthisanimatedpictureforsomeminutes。Then，carefullycrawlingbackuptothepathuntilhewaswelloutofpossiblesightfromthecove，herosetohisfeet，raisedbothhands，andshooktheirclenchedfistsabovehishead。
"Theliar！"gratedMr。Atkins，betweenhisteeth。"Thetraitor！
Theyoungblackguard！Aftertellin’methathe……Andaftermydoin’everythingforhimthat……Oh，byJudas，wait！onlywaittillhecomesback！I’LLl’arnhim！I’LLshowhim！Oh，byjiminycrimps！"
Hestrodetowardthedoorwayofthekitchen。Therehestoppedshort。Awomanwasseatedinthekitchenrocker；astoutwoman，withherbacktowardhim。Theroom，incontrasttothebrightsunshinewithout，wasshadowy，andSeth，foraninstant，couldseeherbutindistinctly。However，heknewwhoshemustbe——thehousekeeperatthebungalow——"Basket"or"Biscuit"hishelperhadsaidwashername，asnearashecouldrememberit。Thelightkeepergroundhisteeth。Anotherfemale！Well，hewouldteachthisoneafewthings！
Hesteppedacrossthethreshold。
"Ma’am，"hebegan，sharply，"perhapsyou’lltellmewhatyou——"
Hestopped。Thestoutwomanhad，atthesoundofhisstep，risenfromthechair，andturnedtofacehim。Andnowshewasstaringathim，herfacealmostaswhiteasthestone-chinacupsandsaucersonthetable。
"Why……why……SETH！"shegasped。
Thelightkeeperstaggeredbackuntilhisshouldersstruckthedoorpost。
"GoodLord！"hecried；"good……LORD！Why——why——EMELINE！"
Foroveraminutethepairstaredateachother，whiteandspeechless。ThenMrs。Bascomhurriedtothedoor，dartedout，andfledalongthepatharoundthecovetothebungalow。Atkinsdidnotfollowher；hedidnotevenlookinthedirectionshehadtaken。
Instead，hecollapsedintherocking-chairandputbothhandstohishead。
CHAPTERX
THEBUNGALOWWOMAN
When，anhourlater，theswimmingteacher，hisguiltyconscienceprickinghim，andtheknowledgeofhavingbeenfalsetohissuperiorstrongwithinhim，camesneakingintothekitchen，hewasstartledandhorrifiedtofindthelightkeeperawakeanddressed。Mentallyhebracedhimselfforthebatteryofembarrassingquestionswhich，hefeltsure，heshouldhavetoanswer。Itmightbethathemustfacesomethingmoreseriousthanquestions。QuitepossibleSeth，findinghimabsent，hadinvestigated——andseen。Well，ifhehad，thenhehad，thatwasall。Themurderwouldbeout，andEastboroTwin-Lightswouldshortlybeshyasubstituteassistantkeeper。
Buttherewerenoembarrassingquestions。Atkinsscarcelynoticedhim。Seatedintherocker，helookedupastheyoungmanentered，andimmediatelylookeddownagain。Heseemedtobeinasortofwakingdreamandonlydimlyconsciousofhappeningsabouthim。
"Hello！"hailedtheassistant，withanassumptionofcasualcheerfulness。
"Hey？Oh！howbeyou？"wasMr。Atkins’sreply。
"I’vebeenformydip，"explainedBrown。"Thewaterwasfineto-day。"
"Wanttoknow！"
"You’reupearly，aren’tyou？"
"Hey？Yes，IguesslikelyIbe。"
"What’swrong？Notsick，areyou？"
"No。CourseIain’tsick。Say！"Sethseemedtotakeasuddeninterestintheconversation，"youcomestraightupfromthecove，haveyou？"
"Yes。Why？"
"Youain’tbeenhangin’aroundoutsidehere，haveyou？"
"Hangingaroundoutside？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Nothin’。Whydoyoustandtherestarin’atmeasifIwassomesortofdimeshowcuriosity？Anythingqueeraboutme？"
"No。Ididn’tknowIwasstaring。"Theyoungmanwasbewilderedbythisstrangebehavior。Hewaspreparedforsuspicionconcerninghisownactions；butSethseemedrathertobedefendinghimselffromsuspiciononthepartofhishelper。
"Humph！"Thelightkeeperlookedkeenlyathimforamoment。Thenhesaid：
"Well，ain’ttherenothin’todobutstandaround？Gettin’prettynightosuppertime，ain’tit？Putthekettleonandsetthetable。"
Itwasnotsuppertime，butBrownobeyedorders。Sethwenttocooking。Hespokeperhapsthreewordsduringtheculinaryoperations，andahalfdozenmoreduringthemeal，ofwhichheatescarcelyamouthful。Afteritwasover，heputonhiscapandwentout，nottohisusualloungingspot，thebench，buttowalkafullhalfmilealongtheedgeofthebluffandtheresitintheseclusionofaclumpofbayberrybushesandgazestonilyatnothinginparticular。Hereheremaineduntilthedeepeningduskremindedhimthatitwastimethelightswereburning。Returning，helitthelanternsandsatdownintheroomatthetopoftheleft-handtowertothink，andthink，andthink。
Theshadowsdeepened；thelastflushoftwilightfadedfromthewesternsky；thestarscameout；nightandtheblacksilenceofnightshroudedEastboroTwin-Lights。Theclockinthetowerroomtickedontonineandthentoten。StillSethsat，ahuddled，dazedfigureinthecampchair，bythegreatlantern。Atlastheroseandwentoutontheironbalcony。Helookeddownatthebuildingsbelowhim；theywereblackshapeswithoutaglimmer。Brownhadevidentlygonetobed。InthelittlestableJoshuathumpedthesideofhisstallonceortwice——dreaming，perhaps，thathewasagainpursuedbythefly-paperedJob——andsubsided。Atkinsturnedhisgazeacrosstheinlet。Intherearwindowofthebungalowadimlightstillburned。Ashewatched，itwasextinguished。Hegroanedaloud，and，withhisarmsontherailing，thoughtandthought。
Suddenlyheheardsounds，faint，butperceptible，abovethelowgrumbleofthesurf。Theywererepeated，thesoundsofbreakingsticks，asifsomeonewasmovingthroughthebriersandbushesbeyondthestable。Someonewasmovingthere，comingalongthepathfromtheupperendofthecove。Aroundthecornerofthestableabulkyfigureappeared。Itcameonuntilitstoodbeneaththebalcony。
"Seth，"calledalowvoice；"Seth，areyouthere？"
Foramomenttheagitatedlightkeepercouldnottrusthisvoicetoanswer。
"Seth，"repeatedthevoice；"Seth。"
Thefigurewasmovingoffinthedirectionoftheothertower。ThenSethanswered。
"Here——hereIbe，"hestammered，inahoarsewhisper。"Whoisit？"
Heknewwhoitwas，perfectlywell；thequestionwasquitesuperfluous。
"It’sme，"saidthevoice。"Letmein，I’vegottotalktoyou。"
Slowly，scarcelycertainthatthiswasnotapartofsomedreadfulnightmare，Sethdescendedtheironladdertothefootofthetower，draggedhisfalteringfeettothedoor，andslowlyswungitopen。
Thebulkyfigureenteredinstantly。
"Shutthedoor，"saidMrs。Bascom。
"Hey？What？"stammeredSeth。
"Isay，shutthatdoor。Hurryup！Landsakes，HURRY！DoyousupposeIwantanybodytoknowI’mhere？"
Thelightkeeperclosedthedoor。Theclangreverberatedthroughthetowerlikedistantthunder。Thevisitorstartednervously。
"Mercy！"sheexclaimed；"whataracket！Whatmadeyouslamit？"
"Didn’t，"grumbledSeth。"Anykindofanoisesoundsupinhere。"
"Ishouldthinkasmuch。It’senoughtowakethedead。"
"Ain’tnobodyBUTthedeadtowakeinthisplace。"
"Yes，thereis；there’sthatyoungmanofyours，thatBrownone。Heain’tdead，ishe？"
"Humph！he’sasleep，andthat’snextdoortodead——withhim。"
"Well，I’mgladofit。Mynervesareprettysteadyasageneralthing，butIdeclareI’mallofatwitterto-night——andnowonder。
It’sdarkerthanapocketinhere。Can’twehavealight？"
Atkinsstumbledacrossthestonefloorandtookthelanternfromthehookbythestairs。Hestruckamatch，anditwentout；hetriedanother，withthesameresult。Mrs。Bascomfidgeted。
"Mercyonus！"shecried；"whatDOESailthething？"
Seth’stremblingfingerscouldscarcelyholdthethirdmatch。Herakeditacrossthewhitewashedwallandbroketheheadshortoff。
"Thundertomighty！"hesnarled，underhisbreath。
"ButwhatDOES——"
"Whatdoes？Whatdoyous’pose？Youain’ttheonlyonethat’sgotnerves，areyou？"
Thenexttrialwassuccessful，andthelanternwaslighted。Withitinhishand，heturnedandfacedhiscaller。Theylookedateachother。Mrs。Bascomdrewalongbreath。
"Itisyou，"shesaid。"Icouldn’tscarcelybelieveit。Itisreallyyou。"
Seth’sanswerwasalmostagroan。"It’syou，"hesaid。"You——downhere。"
Thisendedtheconversationforanotherminute。Thentheladyseemedtoawaketotherealitiesofthesituation。
"Yes，"shesaid，"it’sme——andit’syou。We’rehere，bothofus。
ThoughwhyonearthYOUshouldbe，Idon’tknow。"
"Me？Me？Why，Ibelonghere。Butyou——whatintimesentyouhere？
Unless，"withreturningsuspicion，"youcamebecauseI——"
Hepaused，warnedbytheexpressiononhiscaller’sface。
"Whatwasthat？"shedemanded。