The June moon had risen, sending broken shafts of white light through the
ailanthus to the house door. When the girl came at last, she stepped out
into a world of soft lights and wavering shadows, fragrant with tree
blossoms not yet overpowering, hushed of its daylight sounds of playing
children and moving traffic.
The house had been warm. Her brown hair lay moist on her forehead, her
thin white dress was turned in at the throat. She stood on the steps, the
door closed behind her, and threw out her arms in a swift gesture to the
cool air. The moonlight clothed her as with a garment. From across the
Street the boy watched her with adoring, humble eyes. All his courage was
for those hours when he was not with her.
"Hello, Joe."
"Hello, Sidney."
He crossed over, emerging out of the shadows into her enveloping radiance.
His ardent young eyes worshiped her as he stood on the pavement.
"I'm late. I was taking out bastings for mother."
"Oh, that's all right."
Sidney sat down on the doorstep, and the boy dropped at her feet.
"I thought of going to prayer meeting, but mother was tired. Was Christine
there?"
"Yes; Palmer Howe took her home."
He was at his ease now. He had discarded his hat, and lay back on his
elbows, ostensibly to look at the moon. Actually his brown eyes rested on
the face of the girl above him. He was very happy. "He's crazy about
Chris. She's good-looking, but she's not my sort."
"Pray, what IS your sort?"
"You."
She laughed softly. "You're a goose, Joe!"
She settled herself more comfortably on the doorstep and drew along breath.
"How tired I am! Oh--I haven't told you. We've taken a roomer!"
"A what?"
"A roomer." She was half apologetic. The Street did not approve of
roomers. "It will help with the rent. It's my doing, really. Mother is
scandalized."
"A woman?"
"A man."
"What sort of man?"
"How do I know? He is coming tonight. I'll tell you in a week."
Joe was sitting bolt upright now, a little white.
"Is he young?"
"He's a good bit older than you, but that's not saying he's old."
Joe was twenty-one, and sensitive of his youth.
"He'll be crazy about you in two days."
She broke into delighted laughter.
"I'll not fall in love with him--you can be certain of that. He is tall
and very solemn. His hair is quite gray over his ears."