Blue-Bird Weather

"It isn't the finest farming land in the world, is it, Jim?" he said

humorously.

"I haven't seen any other land," said the boy quietly.

"Don't you remember the Northern country at all?"

"No, sir--except Central Park."

"Oh, you were New-Yorkers?"

"Yes, sir. Father----" and he fell abruptly silent.

They were walking together down the rutted road, and Marche glanced

around at him.

"What were you going to say about your father, Jim?"

"Nothing." Then truth jogged his arm. "I mean I was only going to say

that father and mother and all of us lived there."

"In New York?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is your--your mother living?"

"No, sir."

"I think I saw her picture in the sitting room," he said gently. "She

must have been everything a mother should be."

"Yes, sir."

"Was it long ago, Jim?"

"When she died?"

"Yes."

"Yes, very long ago. Six years ago."

"Before you came here, then?"

"Yes, sir."

After they had walked in silence for a little while, Marche said, "I

suppose you have arranged for somebody to take me out?"

"Yes, sir."

They emerged from the lane to the shore at the same moment, and Marche

glanced about for the expected bayman.

"Oh, there he is!" he said, as a figure came from behind a dory and

waded leisurely shoreward through the shallows--a slight figure in hip

boots and wool shooting hood and coat, who came lightly across the sands

to meet him. And, astonished, he looked into the gray eyes of Molly

Herold.

"Father could not take you," she said, without embarrassment, "and Jim

isn't quite big enough to manage the swans and geese. Do you mind my

acting as your bayman?"

"Mind?" he repeated. "No, of course not. Only--it seems rather rough on

you. Couldn't you have hired a bayman for me?"

"I will, if you wish," she said, her cheeks reddening. "But, really, if

you'll let me, I am perfectly accustomed to bayman's work."

"Do you want to do it?"

She said, without self-consciousness, "If it is the same to you, Mr.

Marche, I had rather that the bayman's wages came to us."

"Certainly--of course," he said hurriedly. Then, smiling: "You look the

part. I took you for a young man, at first. Now, tell me how I can help

you."