A strangely softened mood possessed him, and when at last he stepped out on the grass he lingered a moment beneath the arch of grapevine and looked back into the low, sun-flecked interior of the shop as if loath to leave it.
"I am glad to have seen you, Mr. Spence," he said, "and Miss Morton, too. Bob couldn't be in a pleasanter spot than this. I hope sometime you will let me come over again and visit you while we are in Belleport."
"Sartain, sartain, sir!" cried Willie with delight. "Tiny an' me would admire to have you come whenever the cravin' strikes you. We're almighty fond of Bob, an' any friends of his will always be welcome."
The little old man went with them to the car and loitered to watch them roll away.
"You'll see me back to-night," called Bob from the front seat.
"Not to-night, to-morrow," Roger corrected laughingly.
"Well, to-morrow then," smiled the young man.
The engine pulsed, there was a quick throb of energy, and off they sped. Almost without a sound the motor shot along the sand of the Harbor Road and whirled into the pine-shaded thoroughfare that led toward Belleport.
"A fine old fellow that!" mused Mr. Galbraith aloud. "What a pity he could not have had his chance in life."
Bob nodded.