“Oh! Why didn't you call me? I would have come down.”
“I did not see you until I reached the lantern room. My silence was not premeditated. I made noise enough, or so it seemed to me; but you were so wrapped in your thoughts—”
“Nonsense!” She interrupted me almost sharply. “I was not 'wrapped' in anything, except the beauty of this view. It IS beautiful, isn't it?”
“Very,” I answered, but fear I was not looking at the view. It may be that she noticed this, for she said:
“You have come into your own again, I see. So have I.”
She indicated her gown with a smile and a gesture. I laughed.
“Yes,” I said. “I have returned unto Joshua that which was his.”
“You should have kept it. You have no idea what a picturesque lightkeeper you make, Mr. Paine.”
Somehow or other this harmless joke hurt.
“Yes,” I answered, drily, “that is about my measure, I presume.”