Florence would have it that I had saved her life, although the truth is that if I had not gone down after her one of the other boys would have done so, I am sure, or she might even have reached the air alone. How she pitied me after that! Almost every day she tried to show me her gratitude with some little token—a flower, a tender word or look, or an invitation to supper. I loved her with all the steadfastness of the true-born Yankee, but it seemed to me now that my love was hopeless. I could never ask her to marry me, for how could she say no to me with all that burden of gratitude in her heart? How could I have got an honest answer if I had been unfair enough to ask it?
CHAPTER II
MR. DANIEL WEBSTER SMEAD had five children and a wife, who did all the work of the household. He was an auctioneer, a musician, and a horseman.
When I went to begin my life in his house, it was he who opened the door. He was coatless, collarless, and in dirty linen.
“I am Uriel Havelock,” I said.
“Havelock of Stillwater,” said he. “I salute you. How is your health?”
“Pretty good,” I said.
“Walk right into the drawin'-room, an' draw yer jade knife an' go to whittlin' if ye want to.”