alked toward her unsteadily. She did not stir, but
went on chattering in the same absurd way, until she saw him; then she
cried excitedly, "Oh, look! it's kittens, real little tame kittens,
though their mother won't come near me yet. She is over in that
corner."

Adam saw her green eyes, and though distrustful she was not
unfriendly. Emptying the bucket, he ran down to the sheds, and came
back with some milk which he poured into the top of the pail, and set
down before the kittens. They lapped it eagerly, and as the two human
beings withdrew discreetly, the cat crept out of her corner and joined
in the feast. When it was over, Robin took possession of one tiny ball
of fur, and Adam of another, while they made their own meal. Then
Robin curled up among the dead leaves, and slept like a child.

It was growing dusk when Adam awoke from his day-dreams. The tunnel
looked like a small grain elevator. On one side Robin still slept, but
the old cat was nestled contentedly at her feet, and the kittens were
playing sleepily over her.

"What is she dreaming?" Adam asked wearily. "All day I have sat here
and dreamed dreams that can never come true. I know it; I feel it. I
told her a year, but I am as sure now as I shall be in six years, that
there is no hope. The watch-fire is out to-night,--the first night in
eight months. I shall re-light it for her sake; not that she is any
more deceived than I, but she will be happier to believe me still
hopeful. What will be the end of it all? How can it end?"

"The same old way," came a sleepy voice from the leaves, "with the
'got married and lived happily ever after' formula." She sat up and
rubbed her eyes, and stretched lazily, to the discomfort of the
kittens, who retreated hastily. As she struggled to her feet and a
knowledge of her surroundings, her face changed pitifully, and she sat
down again and cried miserably.

"Oh, it was so real!" she sobbed. "I can see it now. We were back in
the old house, in the library, don't you remember it? and Walter was
at the piano, and Louis had just asked me how to finish his last
story. Did I answer out loud? Oh, which is the dream, for that was as
real as this!"

Adam stood and watched her. He tried not to think of that apropos
answer. He heard the beating, steady patter of the rain, and the
lowing of the cows, and there was not even a star in heaven to look at
him from its accustomed place with a friendly, twinkling promise for
the future.