At this juncture Major Warren came up to offer his congratulations. Carson was standing a few minutes later talking to Garner. He was trying to hear what his partner was saying in his bubbling and enthusiastic way about his engagement to Miss Tarpley, but he found it difficult to listen, for the conversation between his mother and Major Warren had fixed his attention.
“I tried to get her to come over to hear the speech, but she wouldn't,” the Major was saying. “I can't make her out here lately, Mrs. Dwight. She used to be so different in anything concerning Carson. She is now actually hiding behind the vines on the veranda.”
“Perhaps she is so much in love with Mr. Sanders that she—”
“That's the very point,” the Major broke in. “She won't talk about Sanders, and she—well, really, I think the two have quit writing to each other.”
“Perhaps she—oh, do you think, Major, that—” Carson heard no more; his father had come forward and was talking to Garner.
Carson slipped away. He glided down the stairs and out at the door on the side next to Warren's and rapidly strode across the grass. Passing through the little gateway, he reached the veranda and the vines concealing the spot where the hammock was hanging. He saw no one at first and heard no sound. Then he called out: “Helen!”
“What is it?” a timid, even startled voice from the vines answered, and Helen looked out.
“Why didn't you come over with your father?” Carson asked. “He said he wanted you to, but you preferred to stay here.”
“I did want to congratulate you,” Helen, said, as he came up the steps and they stood face to face. “I'm so happy over it, Carson, that really I was afraid I'd show it too much.”
“I'm glad you feel that way,” he said, awkwardly. “It was a hard fight, and I thought several times I was beaten.”