“That’s nateral,” said Uncle William. “I s’pose you’ve been thinkin’ of her, off and on, and you jest thought you saw her. I wouldn’t think any—”
“It wasn’t that,” the young man broke in. “I did see her. I know now. I saw her face for a minute as plain as I see yours. She was looking straight at me and I saw all of a sudden what a fool I was.”
“You’re getting better,” said Uncle William.
“Do you think so? I was afraid—” he hesitated.
“You thought mebbe you was a-goin’ to die?”
“Well—I have heard that people see clearly—It came over me in a flash so—”
“Lord, no!” Uncle William chuckled. “You’re jest gettin’ your wits back, that’s all. I shouldn’t wonder if you’d be real pert by the time we get there. I cal’ate you’ll be considabul help to me—dish-washin’ an’ so on.”
The towers and chimneys behind them dwindled. The smoke of the city faded to a blur and grew to clear azure. The wind blew against their faces. After a little the young man got to his feet. “I’m going to walk awhile.” He spoke defiantly.
“Walk right along,” said Uncle William, cheerfully.
He tottered a few steps, and held out his hand.