Page:Silver Shoal Light.djvu/327

 the living-room at the lighthouse. But all at once Garth slid from her lap, and cried:

"Look, Joan! The sun has set! Why, it's almost beginning to be dark! The Light isn't lit, and Fogger hasn't come back!"

Joan sprang up, and they went out upon the rock, searching the twilit water for some sign of the Ailouros. But the mouth of the bay was empty.

"What can have delayed them?" Joan wondered. "But we ought to light up, I suppose. I'm glad that your father showed me about it."

"It's perfickly easy," said Garth. "I'd like to go with you, but I can't climb up the tower stairs."

She left him and ran through the passage into the tower. She felt strangely awed, up there in the lantern, alone with the great lens. She pulled back the curtains, and pale dusk filled the little place. She lit the lamp and adjusted it. The Light shone out, clear and steady. Joan left its silent and majestic presence, but, hurrying down the iron stairs, she seemed to feel still that quiet, luminous regard.

Garth was waiting for her in the service-room, and they went together into the kitchen.