don't know why I did, either. I certainly
don't consider the festival important."

"I am glad you did. I have been a little troubled about you of late,
Boy. It has seemed to me that you were growing--well, not careless,
exactly, but indifferent. As if you were losing interest in life. I
don't blame you. Compelled to waste your time here in the country, a
companion to a bedridden old woman like me."

"Hush, Mother. You're not old; and as to wasting my time--why, Mother,
you know--"

"Yes, yes, Boy, I know what you would say. But it does trouble me,
nevertheless. I ought to bid you go back into the world, and take your
place among men. A hundred times I have been upon the point of telling
you to leave me, but--but--I am SO selfish."

"Hush, Mother, please."

"Yes, I AM selfish and I know it. I am growing stronger every day; I
am sure of it. Just a little longer, Roscoe, just a little longer, and
then--"

"Mother, I--"

"There, there!" she stroked my hand. "We won't be sad, will we. It
pleases me to see you taking an interest in affairs. I think this Shore
Lane matter may be a good thing, after all. Dorinda says that Luther
tells her you are becoming very popular in town because of your
independent stand. Everyone recognizes your public spirit."

"Did she tell you that?"

"Not in those words. You know Dorinda. But what amounts to that. I am
sure the Denboro people are very proud of you."

I thought of my "popularity" and the admiration of my "public spirit"
as manifested in the attentions of Captain Jed and Eldredge and their
followers, and I turned my head away so that she might not see my face.

"And I am glad you are going to the strawberry festival. I can't
remember when you attended such a function before. Boy--"

"Yes, Mother."

"There isn't any reason, any special reason, for your going, is there?"

"Why, what do you mean?"

"I mean--well, you are young and I did not know but, perhaps, some one
else was going, some one you were interested in, and--and--"

I laughed aloud. "Mother!" I said, reproachfully.

"Why not? I am very proud of my handsome boy, and I know that--"

"There! there! I haven't noticed that my beauty is so fascinating as
to be dangerous. No, Mother, there is no 'special reason' for my going
to-night. I promised George Taylor, that was all."

"Well, I am sure you will have a good time. Kiss me, Boy. Good-night."

I was by no means so sure of the good time. In fact, I loitere