Part 28 (1/2)

”Thank you, Uncle Sid.” Then withdrawing his hand, he slipped it through the old man's arm.

Uncle Sid stopped abruptly and thrust the hand aside, giving Winston an initial push.

”Now you go along where you're wanted. These folks are just burstin'

full o' wors.h.i.+p. It will do 'em good to let it out at a tin G.o.d, if they don't know any better. It's good for folks to wors.h.i.+p somethin' besides themselves.”

Through the long day that followed--it seemed long to Winston--Helen skilfully avoided him. Without seeming effort, she managed to be surrounded with others, giving Winston no word alone. Outwardly, she was her old buoyant self. Only to the keen eyes of Winston was her manner forced.

Towards night, Winston saw Helen and Uncle Sid standing together on one of the abutments of the dam. Without undue haste he joined them.

”Well, Helen, are you satisfied with the handiwork of your servant?”

”If you are my servant, why do you come into my presence without being bidden?”

”I asked my question first, and you haven't answered it.”

”It strikes me that you are either presumptuous or hypocritical. Don't you think so, Uncle Sid?” She flashed her eyes toward Uncle Sid. There was a shade of annoyance in the look that she turned to Winston. ”I believe you and Uncle Sid are fellow conspirators.”

”Then I am not mistaken. You have avoided me today?”

”Suppose I have,” she replied evasively.

”It's too late for that, Helen. You have given me rights and I claim them.” Winston's voice was decided.

”You are harking back to barefoot rights. You perhaps remember that Uncle Sid said that these were only letters of introduction to shoes and stockings.”

”Yes. And I humbly present them.” Winston replied in the forced humor of Helen's words.

”But,” protested Helen, ”I have put away childish things, bare feet and all. See!” She thrust out a booted foot from beneath her skirt.

”That's only a boot, and I'm not in it.”

”You're getting childish, Ralph, so you will have to go with the rest.”

”I am willing, so long as I go with the foot.”

Helen was walking slowly up the steep bank and through a thicket of scrubby pine. Uncle Sid had disappeared from sight. Winston laid a detaining hand on her arm.

”Wait, Helen, I have a great many things to say to you.”

”This is a pleasure trip, Ralph. You can say things at the office.” She turned and took a step forward, but only a step. Winston's hand was gentle but firm. Helen seated herself on a mat of pine needles. Her face was flushed with resentment. Was it resentment?

Winston noticed the heightened color. Its cause was a question with a doubtful answer, but he did not hesitate on that account.

”It's no use trying to deceive me, Helen. There is something troubling you, and seriously, too--”

”Suppose there is, may I not keep my troubles to myself if I choose?”

She tried to speak firmly and finally.

Winston continued with no resentment and with no vacillation.