HIGH WINDS 



If she understood this, she did not betray it. 

 &quot; We shall not be without company,&quot; she said. 

 &quot; The Doctor is sending us a young gentleman 

 boarder.&quot; 



I got up, tore open the Doctor s letter, and 

 read it. 



&quot; I am sending up another invalid to the home 

 stead. I have given him a letter to you. He 

 will amuse you, and perhaps convince you that a 

 man can be a bigger d fool than you are, with 

 his health, and that ought to comfort you. He 

 is only twenty-eight or thirty, but he has burst 

 his hoops with too much life. Cultivate him. 

 He will serve as a guide-post. He is good-look 

 ing, infernally clever, and trying to be, like your 

 self, tardily penitent.&quot; 



I held the letter in my hand and looked at 

 Griselle. She was bent over, purring against 

 Charlie. 



&quot; Has the gentleman from the city arrived ? &quot; 



&quot; No. He is coming this morning.&quot; 



&quot; I beg your pardon,&quot; I said, &quot;of course Gabe 

 thought it would be awkward for him on Thanks 

 giving Day not to have a city person to talk to. 

 I ought to have been more considerate of Gabe.&quot; 



&quot; I don t believe Gabe ever thought of that,&quot; 

 said Griselle, &quot; and I m sure that he would not like 

 to interfere with your and Charlie s roughing it.&quot; 



She said this with a bland, open eye, the corner 

 of which twinkled. 



&quot; Nevertheless,&quot; I said, &quot; as I am under obliga 

 tions to Gabe, and he sent you over &quot; 



245 



