He rubbed his cheek against hers, understanding that she felt something she could not put into words, and then he kissed her face very lightly, and brought her back to a mood that was less intense.
III
“Valerie, I hope that in your three days’ sleep you have at least dreamed of the solemn step we are to take in the morning.”
She laughed delightedly.
“You are certainly consistent in your eccentricity,” he went on lazily. “I have never heard of a person before who snored away her last days of freedom.”
“Oh, Dane, do I really snore?”
“Would it be as serious as all that if you did?”
“Dane, I firmly believe that snores have broken up as many happy homes as any other cause. I simply could not live in a house with a man who snored. If I snore, something has got to be done about it.”
“Well, you don’t, dear, so the ship won’t go to pieces on that rock. But by God! you can sleep. I didn’t realize a person of your age could be so tired.”
“Poor old dear, it’s been awfully dull for you. And you have been a perfect saint. But you won’t have to be a disembodied spirit much longer. I shall be rested in a day or two.”
“I haven’t been suffering, my child. I’ve had poems piecing themselves together in my head, poems to you and the camp. I’ve been quite happy.”
Dane lounged on a rug and cushions against the stern seat of the launch, his arms clasped above his head, and Valerie sat in one of her favourite attitudes with her chin on her knees beside him. They were in a little creek near
