Philip crept round to the edge of the wood that faced Pickett’s Farm, and through the trees saw a man in shirt and trousers laying bricks.
He watched, fascinated.
He had been right in his idea that the light he had noted came from a lantern. One of unusual size stood upon a brick wall, which was in progress of construction. By its aid he recognized the features of Thomas Alvin. He was working with a vigor truly Canadian.
What could he be building? and why did he work at night? Philip resolved to pay other nocturnal visits to watch this extraordinary thing.
But he was destined to see no more on this particular night, for Thomas Alvin struck work with some abruptness and disappeared, having put out his lantern.
The incident served to set the novelist’s brain working, as small incidents not infrequently do.
He would go back and write chapter eight, which had so worried him. He could do it now.
And no thought of the girl who so strangely resembled his lost love crossed his mind, though he was so close to her.
Philip had a way of being very keen in pursuit of a thing until some obstacle blocked his path.
It was not his plan to walk over the obstacle, but to turn back. He had been very keen to find Eweretta’s half-sister and befriend her for the sake of his first love. The prosaic and large Thomas Alvin had proved an obstacle. Philip did not consciously abandon his idea of being of use to Aimée, but he abandoned it all the same. That he gave no thought to the girl on this evening was an indication that his romantic intentions were done with.