He looked into her face—with its great brown eyes so close to his—this time without the least embarrassment. And what beautiful eyes they were!
"You are not to blame. It was the result of my own carelessness. I should have looked at the saw instead of your face."
"Very possibly; but you must not cut any more wood. I forbid it! Do you think you will remember what I say?"
"I'm very much afraid so."
Not another word passed between them. She went into the house, and he, with a sea of happiness surging at his heart that he would have been puzzled to account for, back to the store.
But that evening all the enjoyment he had got out of the afternoon was destined to be taken away from him. After dinner, Murkard had some work in the office he wished to finish in time for the China mail next day, so Ellison wandered down to the shore alone. The moon was just rising over the headland, and the evening was very still; there was hardly enough wind to stir the palm leaves on the hill-top. Further round the island alligators were numerous, and as he stepped on to the beach Ellison thought he could make out one lying on the sand ahead of him. He stepped across to obtain a closer view, only to find that it was the trunk of a sandal-wood tree washed up by the tide. As he turned to retrace his steps he heard someone coming through the long grass behind him. It was Esther.
"Good-evening!" he said, raising his hat. "What a perfect night for a stroll it is. Just look at the effect of the moonlight on the water yonder."
"How is your hand?"
"Progressing very satisfactorily, thank you. It is very good of you to take so much interest in my tiny accident."
"I don't see why! I should have been just as interested in anyone else. I pity the woman who could fail to be affected by an ugly cut like that. Good-night!"