“I've been hungry before, many a time. It was something else, too.” He paused and rose abruptly. “Let's walk up the Beach.”
“I'd love to,” she answered, slowly rising.
CHAPTER VI. BESIDE THE SEA
They strolled leisurely along the board-walk, found the sand, walked in the firm, dry line of the high-water mark for a mile to the east, and sat down on a clump of sea-grass on the top of a sand dune.
“I like this!” she cried joyously.
“So do I,” he answered soberly, and lapsed into silence.
The sun was warm and genial. The wind had died, and the waves of the rising tide were creeping up the long, sloping stretches of the sand with a lazy, soothing rush. A winter gull poised above their heads and soared seaward. The smoke of an ocean liner streaked the horizon as she swept toward the channel off Sandy Hook.
Jim looked at the girl by his side and tried to speak. She caught the strained expression in his strong face and lowered her eyes.
He began to trace letters in the sand.