Pagina 40 de 416

Across the room, near the old melodeon, sat Nellie Tanner,

holding little Bige and smiling wanly at him. The other two

children leaned against her, asleep on either side.

"Don't get up, Code," she said. "You've earned your rest more

than any man in Freekirk Head to-night. I'm afraid, though, we're

going to make more trouble for you. Ma Schofield wouldn't let me

go anywhere else but here till the Rosan gets back from St.

John's.

"Oh, I hate to think of their coming! They'll sail around Flag

Point and look for the kiddies waving in front of the house. And

they won't even see any house; but, thanks to you, Code, they'll

see the kiddies."

He knew by the tense, strained tone of her voice that she was

very near the breaking-point, and his whole being yearned to

comfort her and try to make her happy.

Cursing himself for a lazy dolt, he sprang up and walked over

toward her.