"Father always wants things used," Sam explained. "Do you really
dislike boating?"

"You absurd boy!" she said laughing; "of course you will use it; don't
talk nonsense!"

Sam looked into the fire. "Do you ever have the feeling," he said in
an empty voice, "that nothing is worth while? I mean, if you are
disappointed in anything? A feeling as if you didn't care, at all,
about anything? I have it often. A sort of loss of appetite in my
mind. Do you know it?"

"Do I know it?" she said, and laughed so harshly that the boy drew
back. "Yes, Sam; I know it."

Sam sighed; "I hate that skiff."

And at that she laughed again, but this time with pure gayety. "Oh,
you foolish boy!" she said. Then she glanced at the clock. "Sam, I
have some letters to write to-night--will you think I am very
ungracious if I ask you to excuse me?" Sam was instantly apologetic.
"I've stayed too long! Grandfather told me I ought never to come and
see you--"

"_What!_"

"He said I bothered you."

"You don't bother me," she protested; "I mean, when you talk about