Three days before the ball, Val, coming in from a drive with the Otways, found that Ethan had had a Mexican hammock put up between one of the locust-trees and the giant tulip.
"What a good plan! People who are tired dancing will be glad to find this."
"I wasn't thinking of the ball, oddly enough. What a horrible racket those men have been making all day putting up the pavilion!"
He leaned his head on his hand. His face looked worn.
"I'm so sorry they disturbed you, but I'm glad the hammock's just for me." She ran out as soon as supper was over to contemplate her new toy. "Ethan!" she called, presently.
He came on to the veranda wearing a hat and carrying a walking-stick.
Her countenance fell.
"Aren't you coming to have a swing?"
He laughed.