CHAPTER XXIX

llingawayathispipe,Valancydreamingidlyanddeliciously,gazingatthefar-offhillsbeyondMistawiswherethespiresoffirscameoutagainstthesunset.ThemoonlightwouldbegintosilvertheMistawisdusk.Batswouldbegintoswoopdarklyagainstthepale,westerngold.Thelittlewaterfallthatcamedownonthehighbanknotfarawaywould,bysomewhimofthewildwoodgods,begintolooklikeawonderfulwhitewomanbeckoningthroughthespicy,fragrantevergreens.AndLeanderwouldbegintochucklediabolicallyonthemainlandshore.Howsweetitwastositthereanddonothinginthebeautifulsilence,withBarneyattheothersideofthetable,smoking! Therewereplentyofotherislandsinsight,thoughnonewerenearenoughtobetroublesomeasneighbours.TherewasonelittlegroupofisletsfarofftothewestwhichtheycalledtheFortunateIsles.Atsunrisetheylookedlikeaclusterofemeralds,atsunsetlikeaclusterofamethysts.Theyweretoosmallforhousesbutthelightsonthelargerislandswouldbloomoutalloverthelake,andbonfireswouldbelightedontheirshores,streamingupintothewoodshadowsandthrowinggreat,blood-redribbonsoverthewaters.Musicwoulddrifttothemalluringlyfromboatshereandthere,orfromtheverandahsonthebighouseofthemillionaireonthebiggestisland. “Wouldyoulikeahouselikethat,Moonlight?”Barneyaskedonce,wavinghishandatit.HehadtakentocallingherMoonlight,andValancylovedit. “No,”saidValancy,whohadoncedreamedofamountaincastletentimesthesizeoftherichman’s“cottage”andnowpitiedthepoorinhabitantsofpalaces.“No.It’stooelegant.IwouldhavetocarryitwithmeeverywhereIwent.Onmybacklikeasnail.Itwouldownme—possessme,bodyandsoul.IlikeahouseIcanloveandcuddleandboss.Justlikeourshere.Idon’tenvyHamilton