That was the last snow of winter, as Larry had predicted, and when Harry crawled out in the sun, the earth smelled of spring, and the waterfall thundered in its downward plunge, augmented by the melting snows of the still higher mountains. The noise of it was ever in their ears, and the sound seemed fraught with a buoyant impulse and inspiration––the whirl and rush of a tremendous force, giving a sense of superhuman power. Even after he was really able to walk about and help himself, Harry would not allow himself to see Amalia. He forbade Larry to tell them how much he was improved, and still taxed his friend to bring him up his meals, and sit by him, telling him the tales of his life.
“I’ll wait on you here no longer, boy,” said Larry, at last. “What in life are you hiding in this shed for? The women think it strange of you––the mother does, anyway,––you may never quite know what her daughter thinks unless she wishes you to know, but I’m sure she thinks strange of you. She ought to.”
“I know. I’m perfectly well and strong. The trail’s open now, and I’ll go––I’ll go back––where I came from. You’ve been good to me––I can’t say any more––now.”
“Smoke a pipe, lad, smoke a pipe.”
Harry took a pipe and laughed. “You’re better than any pipe, but I’ll smoke it, and I’ll go down, yes, I must, and bid them good-by.”
“And will you have nothing to tell me, lad, before you go?”
“Not yet. After I’ve made my peace with the world––with the law––I’ll have a letter sent you––telling all I know. You’ll forgive me. You see, when I look back––I 326 wish to see your face––as I see it now––not––not changed towards me.”
“My face is not one to change toward you––you who have repented whatever you’ve done that’s wrong.”
That evening Harry King went down to the cabin and sat with his three friends and ate with them, and told them he was to depart on the morrow. They chatted and laughed and put restraint away from them, and all walked together to watch the sunset from a crag above the cabin. As they returned Madam Manovska walked at Harry’s side, and as she bade him good night she said in her broken English:––