way--Bettina was beautiful--Justin was
in the field to measure lances.

With Peter Pan for company, Sophie waited on the porch for the recreant
pair.

When they arrived it was very dark, and she could not see their faces.
But what had made that difference in their voices--that subtle,
thrilling difference?

CHAPTER XVII

GLORY OF YOUTH

When Bettina cried, "I could fly with you,--forever," the light of a
great joy leaped in Justin's eyes. But he said nothing; he merely set
his hand more steadily to steering.

And Bettina was content to be silent; to drift on and on in this golden
world, where there was just herself and the youth with the shining eyes.

Far beneath them several racing yachts seemed flung like white flower
petals on the surface of the sea; two girls in red coats on the
club-house tennis courts made glowing spots of color; the crowds of
people on the rocks, with their heads upturned to view the fairy ship of
the air, were as formless and as lacking in life and movement as a
patchwork quilt.

Bettina felt no wonder. Her mood was one of heavenly enchantment; having
passed the first gate of the great adventure, no small detail could seem
strange.

If in those exquisite moments she remembered Anthony, she gave no sign.
Somewhere, perhaps, down there in the darkness, was a weary man working;
there were sick people; pain was there and suffering. But such things
belonged to an existence in which she had no part. It was as if she had
died, and, rising above the earth, looked pityingly on those who still
struggled and strove.

She had a sudden whimsical memory of a Sunday-school song which had
appealed to her childish imagination:

"I shall have wings, I shall have wings,
I shall have wings, some day----"

Years ago she had sung it with a half hundred enthusiastic youngsters.
Her vision, then, had dealt, somewhat hazily, with golden crowns, with
plumed pinions, and with ultimate bliss; but never had her imagination
compassed such a moment as this!

Above the noise of the motor Justin was aware of the lilt of her fresh
young voice:

"I shall have wings, I shall have wings----"

The humming wires keyed the hackneyed tune to a sort of celestial
harmony:

"Bright wings of love, from God above,
To bear my glad soul away----"

Justin glanced down at her rapt face.

"Do you like it?"

"It is--heaven!"

As she again took up the little song, he joined in,