said he'd always wanted to know what it sounded like."

Somehow, in the days that followed, Tommy was always with his
particular friends, the fishermen, on the beach, at the Red Lion,
or in the shop of a certain boat-builder, learning the use of the
calking-iron. Mr. and Mrs. Jack, Aunt Celia, and I unexpectedly
found ourselves a quartette for hours together, while Egeria and
Atlas walked in the churchyard, in the beautiful grounds of
Clovelly Court, or in the deer park, where one finds as perfect a
union of marine and woodland scenery as any in England.

Atlas may have taken her there because he could discuss single tax
more eloquently when he was walking over the entailed estates of
the English landed gentry, but I suspect that single tax had taken
off its hat, and bowing profoundly to Egeria, had said, "After you,
Madam!" and retired to its proper place in the universe; for not
even the most blatant economist would affirm that any other problem
can be so important as that which confronts a man when he enters
that land of Beulah, which is upon the borders of Heaven and within
sight of the City of Love.

Atlas was young, warm of heart, high of mind, and generous of soul.
All the necessary chords, therefore, were in him, ready to be set
in vibration. No one could do this more cunningly than Egeria; the
only question was whether love would "run out to meet love," as it
should, "with open arms."

We simply waited to see. Mrs. Jack, with that fine lack of logic
that distinguished her, disclaimed all responsibility. "He is
awake, at least," she said, "and that is a great comfort; and now