The Tidal Wave and Other Stories

er even? Well, you mu

s, and looked up at his son with the aggressive ex

hed. He made no reply of any sort to his father's brisk observ

his mouth. "If that chap bathes off the Spear Point rocks

e does?" de

e-this afternoon. Tide was going down, or the

ly. "Warned him long ago. War

mself to thank. Or maybe he doesn

uch a fool as t

e again, and rela

Peck showed her portly person

"I thought you was in th

omitted to pay to Adam's wife. "So I was," he

a searching look. "Did you hav

, Mo

uick about it," co

f his birdlike glances. "Can't stop for anyth

t hurry, Rufus, surely! Just as I was going t

that?" s

oint, and he's got our Columbine to say she'll take him there tonight. Well, now, I don't think it's right, and I told her so. But, of course, she come out as pat as anything with him being an artist and different-like from the rest. Still, I said as I'd rather she didn't, and Adam had better

, aware of a certain hardening of

s listening with pursed lips and something

Mrs. Peck paused. "You show him

or?" sa

and a grin. "Do you good to go into society," he said. "That's all right, m

t!" comman

eech as his father was prompt, but she thought none the less

t I'm not one for shoving myself in otherwise. Maybe the chap won't be so keen h

You've got some sense," she said. "But I wonder how Columbine

a tantrum is one of the bes

rums on you," rejoined his wi

oes," sa

g, but there was that in his demeanour that clearly indicated that he pe

in the kitchen to await developments. And Ad

he trotted to and fro upon her task, too intent for further speech with Rufus, who sat in unbroken si

the act of pouring the gravy over it when there sounded a

d a dainty little apron. The soft dark h

get that Sally was out tonight! I'm sorry I'm too

ure seated against the wall, but instantly recovered her

a touch of tartness. "I'll wait on Mr. Knight myself. You can lay the suppe

"No, there won't! There'll be three," she sai

us!" ejacula

e. "That's all right. I'm no

tter?" questioned Mrs. Peck. "

. But I'm not going to sit down to supper with a man w

pt at self-justification, though Mrs. Peck was star

e savoury dish that steamed on the table. "You'd bett

. And, Columbine, my dear, I don't think it's right of you to go losing your temper t

time Rufus intervened. "I've offended he

of emotion whatever. Yet, oddly enough, the anger died out of Columbine's face as

ed, and took up

en Columbine withdrew the parlo

sorry," she said,

in silence, a slow smile dawning in h

y then?" insi

ile still in his eyes. "I wouldn't h

ed to dismiss it without discussion. "Well, let it be a lesson to you, and don't you ever do such a

ht," sai

remove all cause of offence, and was rewarded by a

all," she said, as she

kitchen when Mrs. Peck returned from the little

caution ere she came c

He don't want to go wi

vine of expression as he received the news. "We'll

entary exasperation. She had expect

satisfied," she said. "Bu

re effect than the first, but again Rufus proved a disappoin

smile and he says, 'Oh, don't you trouble, Mrs. Peck!' he says. 'I quite understand. Miss Columbine explained it all, and I quite see your point. It ought to have occurred to me sooner,' he says, smiling with them nice teeth of his, 'but, if you'll believe me, it didn't.' And then, when I suggested maybe he'

caused her to straighten herself sharply a

saying. Shall I tell you? No, p'raps I'd better not. I'll tell you what you looked like instead, shall I? You looked exactly like that funny old speckled hen in the

, stooping stoutly over the fire. "

chin in the air. She found a dust

him. But-very suddenly-without changing her attitude, she flashed him a swift glance. He was

th the rapidity of a swallow on the wi

l," she said meditatively. "Perhaps he's

u're talking about," said Mrs.

little. "Do you kn

stion; there was a quivering dimple

ow," said Rufus

one of a schoolmistress delivering a lecture, "was a monster, half-bull, half-man, who lived in a place like the Spea

s still upon her, but its fiery quality was less appare

n't devour anybody. I'm

not so sure of that," she sai

ike to do it,"

she was swift to mask her satisfaction. She tossed her head, and turned: "Oh, I've no time to waste that way,

he words, carrying

as stirring. "It's my belief now that that Mr. Knight's been putt

ed no response, and for s

e, deep and sonorous as the bell-buoy t

e'd tame,

e!" said Mrs. Peck, as she li