VI
INVESTIGATING THE DEPTHS
One hot Saturday night in August Floyd had gone to his room and stretched himself out on the bed by the open window. It was too hot to light the lamp and read, and besides he was feeling out of sorts. Another Sunday was at hand, and nothing that he cared to do; the freshness had gone from his work; and the mood, rare with him, was on him which made him ask, "What is the use?" He had taken out his little telescope, and lying on the bed adjusted it lazily, tracing with it the outline of the constellations that were within its range. While he was thus amusing himself, he was aware that Mrs. Bell was in the yard below him, sprinkling her lawn, and occasionally exchanging a word with the neighboring housewife, who was engaged in similar employment. Floyd's arm grew weary of holding up the glass, and having laid it down he listened without shame to the fragments of conversation that reached him.
"Did Hugh come to see Letty to-night?" asked the neighbor.
"No; Saturday nights he goes off with his friends; he does enjoy skylarking round."
"Well, I presume it's all right; I presume it's innocent. Does Letty approve that he should?"
"She encourages him. 'There ain't much fun here,' she says to him. 'I want you should have a good time when you can. I guess two folks like us can trust each other.' That's the way she takes it."
"Maybe"—and the suggestion was delayed a moment by sly and smothered laughter—"Hugh will be getting jealous first—about her and the new boarder."
