to-morrow or the next day."

"Yes, come! I'm fond of Jamie, but he's three years younger than I."

"You've got a sister?"

"Alice? She's only twelve. You come. I've been wanting somebody."

"So have I. I'm lonelier than you."

They came to the level top of the heath. The sun rode low; the shadow
of the hill stretched at their feet, out over path and harvest-field.

"Good-by, then!"

"Good-by!"

Ian stood still. Alexander, homeward bound, dropped over the crest.
The earth wave hid from him Black Hill, house and all. But, looking
back, he could still see Ian against the sky. Then Ian sank, too.
Alexander strode on toward Glenfernie. He went whistling, in expanded,
golden spirits. Ian--and Ian--and Ian! Going through a grove of oaks,
blackbirds flew overhead, among and above the branches. _The cranes of
Ibycus!_ The phrase flashed into mind. "I wonder why things like that
disturb me so!... I wonder if there's any bottom or top to living
anyhow!... I wonder--!" He looked at the birds and at the violet
evening light at play in the old wood. The phrase went out of his
mind. He left the remnant of the forest and was presently upon open
moor. He whistled again, loud and clear, and strode on happily.
Ian--and Ian--and Ian!