Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/165

 People have a tendency to do the most insane things on such occasions."

"I didn't know what had happened," she said, "until I felt my chair being pulled from under me."

"Pulled from under you!"

"Yes, you'd got hold of the leg of my chair, and seemed determined to pull me down on top of you." Then suddenly she laughed. "It was really very funny. One man brought a soda-water syphon, and somebody suggested burning feathers under your nose, as if everybody carried a bunch of feathers about with them to—to" and again she laughed.

"Don't you think we might have a little walk," he suggested. "Gentle exercise is good for the debilitated. I'll promise not to faint."

She turned and looked at him critically.

"And," he continued, "if I do, I won't bring you to earth with me."

"Very well," she said rising; "on those conditions I'll agree."

They turned out on to the Leas and walked slowly in the direction of Sandgate. Beresford inhaled deeply the warm air, fresh with the scent of the sea. Never in his life had he felt so at peace with the world as on this dream-morning; for, of course, it was all a dream. Was the Rain-Girl really walking with him, even in a dream? He turned to assure himself of the fact, and found her looking up at him. Involuntarily he smiled and saw the answering smile in her eyes.

"I was thinking," she said.