In spite of the pessimists who are for ever writing books, even writing novels (more shame to them), to prove that there is no such thing as happiness in the world, we managed every one of us heartily to enjoy our cruise. It seemed indeed true that:
“Green leaves and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,
And singing and loving all come back together.”
Something, at any rate, of the glamour of those past days came back to us all, I fancy, as we laughed and dozed and idled and talked beneath the snowy wings of the Aurora, and I cannot say I was in the least surprised when, on roaming through the pleasant garden walks in that unique little island of Tresco, I came once more upon Derrick and Freda, with, if you will believe it, another handful of white heather given to them by that discerning gardener! Freda once more reminded me of the girl in the ‘Biglow Papers,’ and Derrick’s face was full of such bliss as one seldom sees.
He had always had to wait for his good things, but in the end they came to him. However, you may depend upon it, he didn’t say much. That was never his way. He only gripped my hand, and, with his eyes all aglow with happiness, exclaimed “Congratulate me, old fellow!”