of thing was balm to the Speranza spirit. Albert's
temperamental ego expanded under it like a rosebud under a summer sun.
Yet there was a faint shadow of doubt--she might be making fun of him.
He looked at her intently and she seemed to read his thoughts, for she
said:

"Oh, I mean it! Please believe I do. I haven't spoken that way when Jane
was with me, for she wouldn't understand and would laugh, but I mean it,
Mr. Speranza. It would be an honor--a great honor."

So the still protesting and rebellious Googoo was compelled to go a few
feet away and lie down, while his mistress and the young man whom he had
attempted to devour bent their heads together over a scribbling-pad
and talked and exclaimed during the whole of that hour and a full
three-quarters of the next. Then the distant town clock in the steeple
of the Congregational church boomed five times and Miss Fosdick rose to
her feet.

"Oh," she said, "it can't really be five o'clock, can it? But it is!
What WILL mother fancy has become of me? I must go this minute. Thank
you, Mr. Speranza. I have enjoyed this so much. It has been a wonderful
experience."

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. She had grown
handsomer than ever during the winter months. Albert's eyes were shining
also as he impulsively seized her hand.

"Thank you, Miss Fosdick," he said. "You have helped me more than I
can tell you. I was about to give up in despair before you came, and
now--now I KNOW I shall write the best thing I have ever done. And you
will be responsible for it."

She caught her breath. "Oh, not really!" she exclaimed. "You don't mean
it, really?"

"Indeed I do! If I might have your help and sympathy once in awhile, I
believe--I believe I could do almost anything. Will you help me again
some day? I shall be here almost every pleasant Saturday and Sunday
afternoon. Will you come again?"

She hesitated. "I--I'll see; perhaps," she answered hurriedly. "But I
must go now. Come, Goo."

She hastened away, down the knoll and along the beach toward the hotel.
Googoo followed her, turning occasionally to cast diabolical glances at
the Speranza ankles. Albert gazed until the graceful figure in the trim
sport costume disappeared behind the corner of the point of the beach.
Just at the point she paused to wave to him. He waved in return. Then
he tramped homeward. There was deep sand beneath his feet and, later,
pine-needles and grass. They were all alike to him, f