CHAPTER XIX
THE VIGIL IN THE SWING
When I look back on that hot July day it seems a week long; so much was crowded into it. After the ceremony we took Tippy up home in the machine with the children, and then went for a drive. I hadn't realized how tired I was till I sank back into the comfortable seat beside Richard. Nothing could have rested me more than that rapid spin toward Wellfleet with the salt breeze in my face. As we started out of town Richard glanced at his watch.
"Only sixty-three hours more for this old burg," he announced. "I've got it figured down to a fine point now. Even to the minutes."
"So anxious to get away?" I asked.
"Oh, it isn't that. I'm keen enough to get busy over there, but——" He did not finish but presently nodded toward the water where a great fleet of fishing boats was putting into port. They filled the harbor with a flashing of sails in the late afternoon sunshine, like a flock of white-winged birds. "I'm wondering how long it will be before I see that again."
I answered with a line from "Kathleen Mavourneen," humming it airily: "It may be for years and it may be forever."