you admired her, Peter. I don't know who she is, of course, but
almost any woman would feel that. This visit, somehow, has made me
feel as if you and I had really begun a new friendship on our own
account, not just the old friendship. And I shall often think of
that talk we had a week ago, and-think of you, too. N-n-next time
you fall in love I hope you will be luckier!"

Silence. But he gave her his quick, friendly smile. Cherry dared
not speak again.

"Last stop--all out!" Alix exclaimed. "You get tickets, Peter.
Hurray, there's Martin!"

Unexpectedly Martin's big figure came toward them from the ferry
gate. Some ore from the mine had to be assayed in San Francisco,
and he had volunteered to make the trip so that he might meet his
wife and bring her back with him to Red Creek. Time hanging on his
hands in the city, he had crossed the bay for the pleasure of the
return trip with Cherry. He met them beamingly. There was a little
confusion of greeting and good-byes. Alix and Peter watched the
others at the railing until the ferryboat turned. Martin smiled
over Anne's head; Cherry, both little white-gloved hands on the
rail, blue eyes and a glint of bright hair showing under the
daisies on her hat, her small figure enveloped in a big loose
coat, looked as if she would like to cry again.

"It must be fun to be married, and go off to strange places with
your beau!" Alix decided. "I'm hungry, Peter; let's go over there
and treat ourselves to fried oysters!"