“Good news!” exclaimed Anita.
“Because,” explained Sam, “I am leaving, America—am spending the winter in England. I am sailing on Wednesday. No; I also am unhappy; but that is not what makes me unhappy.”
“Tell me,” begged Anita.
“Some day,” said Sam.
The day he chose to tell her was the first day they were at sea—as they leaned upon the rail, watching Fire Island disappear.
“This is my unhappiness,” said Sam—and he pointed to a name on the passenger list. It was: “The Earl of Deptford, and valet.” “And because he is on board!”
Anita Flagg gazed with interest at a pursuing sea-gull.
“He is not on board,” she said. “He changed to another boat.”
Sam felt that by a word from her a great weight might be lifted from his soul. He looked at her appealingly—hungrily.
“Why did he change?” he begged.