All's
gold behind it, Sylvie, burning gold. The rocks are like bright
copper. And the pines, they're incandescent, phosphorescent green--"
"If I could only see it!"
Down near the pines a tall, still figure stood watching them. It was
Pete, and his smile, usually so frank and sweet, had now a sardonic
twist. As they came down out of their sun into his shadow, he spoke
with a drag to his syllables.
"Hullo," he said. "That was a narrow escape you had, you two!"
The voice might have been a pistol-shot for the start it gave to Hugh.
"Why, it's Pete. We must be late, Pete," Sylvie called joyously. "Did
you see how Hugh saved my life? He threw himself down before the rock
and stopped it. He's hurt his poor arm. The great stone was right
on top of us, and he threw me out of the way and set his own strength
against it. I couldn't see the rock, Pete, but it felt like a
mountain."
"It was big enough to smash you both," said Pete.
He looked at Hugh, whose eyes glared in a strained, shamed face. The
older man's fingers worked nervously; he opened his lips and closed
them again. It was easy to understand the travail of his mind,
unwilling to forego the imaginary bit of heroism, and yet abashed
by the boy's awareness of the lie.
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