94 RED PEPPER BURNS

often the best cure for weariness: it’s change of
thought and occupation, particularly if the open
air is a part of the cure. I’ve forgotten I have a
care in the world: all I can think of is —may I
say it P —— yourself! I can’t get over the wonder of
seeing you turn from What Bob calls his ‘pretty
lady’ into the girl I see before me —— a girl who
looks about nineteen, with a capacity for good
sport in the open air I never dreamed of.”

“The open air would renew everybody’s youth,
I think, if everybody would go to living out-of-
doors. We’re through, aren’t we? There isn’t
a crumb left! Now please go off and let me clear
up and pack away. That’s always the woman’s
part. Couldn’t you lie down on that inviting
carpet of needles over there under the big pine
and get a bit of sleep?”

“Sleep—when I can talk to you P”

She nodded. “Yes, indeed. I’m not going to
talk just now, anyhow, so you might as well make
the best of it. Throw yourself down with your
hands under your head, and look up at those
beautiful boughs. Please!”

Rather reluctantly he obeyed, and she could
see that, weary as he undoubtedly still was in