"I'll show you my little clasp-book some day, big boy. It's where I
write my verses. I don't show them to anybody. You see, I'm telling you
my secrets! We must tell each other our secrets, you and I! I have put
my philosophy of living into four lines. Listen!
"The future? Why perplex the soul? The past? Forget its woe and strife!
Let's thread each day, a perfect whole, Upon our rosary of Life."
"It's beautiful," he told her.
"Isn't it good philosophy?"
"Yes," he admitted, not daring to doubt the high priestess of the new
cult to which he had been commandeered.
"It saves all this foolish worry. Most of the folks I know are always
talking about the bad things which have happened to them or are peering
forward and hoping that good things will happen, and they never once
look down and admire a golden moment which Fate has dropped into their
hands. You see, I'm poetical this morning. Why shouldn't I be? We love
each other."
"I don't know how to talk," he stammered. "I'm only a sailor. I never
said a word about love to any girl in my life."
"Are you sure you have never loved anybody? Remember, we must tell each
other our secrets."
"Never," he declared with convincing firmness.
She surveyed him, showing the satisfaction a gold-seeker would exhibit
in appraising a nugget of virgin ore. "But you are so big and fine! And
you must have met so many pretty girls!"
He was not restive under this quizzing. "I have told you the truth, Miss
Marston."
"For shame, big boy! 'Miss Marston,' indeed! I am Alma--Alma to you. Say
it! Say it nicely!"
He flushed. He stole a shamefaced glance at the-wheelsman and made a
quick and apprehensive survey of the sacred regions aft.
"Are you afraid, after all I have said to you?"
"No, but it seems--I can hardly believe--"
"Say it."
"Alma," he gulped. "Alma, I love you."
"You need some lessons, big boy. You are so awkward I think you are
telling me the truth about the other girls."
He did not dare to ask her whether she had loved any one else. With all
the passionate jealousy of his soul he wanted to ask her. She, who was
so sure that she could instruct him, must have loved somebody. He tried
to comfort himself by the thought that her knowledge arose from the
efforts either men had made to win her.