His fingers touched a cool smooth arm that shrank convulsively at contact while the possessor of it cried sharply. He held on tightly and began to laugh, and Paula laughed with him.
You frightened me when you touched me, she said. You came without a sound, and I was a thousand miles away, dreaming
What? Graham asked.
Well, honestly, I had just got an idea for a gown. And the only jewellery, a ringone enormous ruby that Dick gave me years ago when we sailed together.
Is there anything you dont do? he laughed.
She joined with him.
Who told you about the pipe? she next asked.
No one. I just understood.
It was Dicks idea. You will find him full of whimsies. He liked to scare old ladies into fits by stepping off into the pool with their sons or grandsons and hiding away in here.
Well?going to stay there all night? Berts voice came down the pipe.
Its time to go back, Paula suggested. Its not the coziest place in the world. Shall I go first?
By all meansand Ill be right behind.
Somebody told you, was Berts prompt accusal, when Graham rose to the surface of the pool and climbed out.
And you were the scoundrel who rapped stone under water, Graham said. It was a crooked game[56], a conspiracy, and a felony. Its a case for the district attorney.
But you won, Ernestine cried.
I certainly did, and, therefore, I shall not prosecute you, nor any one of your crooked gangif the bets are paid promptly. Let me seeyou owe me a box of cigars
One cigar, sir!
A box! A box!
9
Dick had started a gambling game. It went on at a big table at the far end of the room, accompanied by much owing and borrowing of small sums.
With nine players, the game was crowded, and Graham, with a profound sigh at the loss of his last beta nickelannounced that he was going to take a turn around the room to change his luck. He wanted to see Paula.
At this point, Ernestine told Graham:
Were all waiting for you. You and I are partners. Besides, Paulas going to sleep. So say good night, and let her go.
Paula had left for bed at ten oclock. Dick said good night to Graham and continued on with his pretty sister-in-law toward her quarters.
Just a tip, Ernestine, he said at parting, his voice was serious to warn her.
What have I done? she pouted laughingly.
Nothing as of yet. But dont get started. Youre only a kid yeteighteen; and a nice, likable kid. Enough to make any man sit up and take notice. But Evan Graham is not any man
Oh, I can take care of myself, she blurted out in a fling of quick resentment.
But listen to me. There comes a time for a girl when she mustnt make a mistake and start in loving the wrong man. You havent fallen in love with Evan Graham yet, and all you have to do is just not to fall in love with him. Hes not for you, nor for any young girl. Hes an oldster, an ancient, and possibly has forgotten more about love, romantic love, and young things, than youll ever learn in a dozen lives. If he ever marries again
Again! Ernestine broke in.
Why, hes been a widower, my dear, for over fifteen years.
Then what of it? she demanded defiantly.
Just this, Dick continued quietly. The fact is that in fifteen years he has not married again. It means
That hes never recovered from his loss? Ernestine interpolated. But thats no proof
Means all you have to do is look at him, Dick held on steadily, and realize that some very fine women, real wise women, mature women, have tested his endurance. But so far theyve not succeeded in catching him. Think it over, dear.
He took one of her hands in his, and drew her against him.
You know, we hard-bitten[57] old fellows he began half-apologetically, half-humorously.
But she made a restless movement of distaste, and cried out:
The young men are all youngsters, and thats all. Theyre full of life, and spirits, and dance, and song. But theyre not serious. Theyre not big. Theyre notoh, they dont give a girl that sense of proven strength, of, of well, of manhood.
I understand, Dick murmured. But please do not forget to glance at the other side. Life is something to be learned. But young girls like you, Ernestine, have you learned any of it yet?
Tell me, she asked abruptly, almost tragically, about this wild young romance, about this young woman when he was young, fifteen years ago.
Fifteen? Dick replied promptly. Eighteen. They had been married for three years before she died. In fact, they were actually married, by a Church, and living in wedlock, about the same moment that you were born.
Yes, yesgo on, she urged nervously. What was she like?
She was a resplendent, golden-brown Polynesian queen whose mother had been a queen before her, whose father was an Oxford man, an English gentleman, and a real scholar. Her name was Nomare. She was Queen of Huahoa. She was barbaric. He was young enough. There was nothing sordid in their marriage. He was no penniless adventurer. She brought him her island kingdom and forty thousand men. He brought to that island his fortuneand it was no inconsiderable fortune. He built a palace that no South Sea[58] island ever possessed before or will ever possess again. Heavens! They had their own royal yacht, their mountain house, their canoe house. I know. I have been at great feasts in it.
When she died, no one knew where Graham was. Oh, whats the use in telling any more. He was only a boy. She was half-English, half-Polynesian, and a really and truly queen. They were flowers of their races. They were a pair of wonderful children. They lived a fairy tale. And well, Ernestine, the years have passed, and Evan Graham has passed from the realm of the youth. It will be a remarkable woman that will ever infatuate him now. Besides, hes practically broke. Though he didnt waste his money. As much misfortune, and more, than anything else.
Paula is more his kind, Ernestine said meditatively.
Yes, indeed, Dick agreed. Paula, or any woman as remarkable as Paula, will attract him a thousand times more than all the sweet, young, lovely things like you in the world. We oldsters have our standards, you know.
And Ill have to pay attention at the youngsters, Ernestine sighed.
In the meantime, yes, he chuckled. Remembering, always, that you, too, in time, may grow into the remarkable, mature woman, who can catch a man like Evan.
But I shall be married long before that, she pouted.
Which is for the best, my dear. And, now, good night. And you are not angry with me?
She smiled pathetically and shook her head, put up her lips to be kissed.
Dick Forrest, turning off lights as he went, penetrated the library, and smiled at recollection of the interview with his sister-in-law. He was confident that he had spoken in time. But a remark of Ernestine was echoing in his consciousness: Paula is more his kind.
Fool! he laughed aloud, continuing on his way. And married a dozen years!
10
It was long after ten in the morning, when Graham wandered into the music room. Despite the fact that he was a several days guest in the Big House, so big was it that the music room was a new territory. It was an exquisite room where a warm golden light was diffused from a skylight of yellow glass.