Page:The Star in the Window.pdf/318

308 before—least of all toward a big affair like the U. S. A. Education has created in him a new feeling of respectability, a new feeling of responsibility too, which he can't quite dodge. I saw that he was interested when Jenkins, the young ambulance-driver, was here, but I had no idea it was as serious as this. I must write to Richard Macomber—classmate of mine. Lives in New York. He's interested in things military. Spent two summers at Plattsburg. He'll know how to advise Nathan wisely."

"O dear, dear, how I shall miss that boy!" sighed Mrs. Barton, wiping teary eyes. "Next to you, Robert, he's the dearest boy in the world to me."

The day before Nathan started for the east (after Richard Macomber had replied to Robert Barton that he'd like to see his friend's protégé, and talk with him) he left a package in a jeweler's shop with instructions for it to be mailed on a certain date the following July. The package was for Rebecca. It was an answer to her letter.

Nathan figured that of the notes he had left on the schooner to be mailed to Rebecca at different ports the last one ought surely to reach her by June. However, he'd play safe, and wait until July before mailing a reply to her letter. He wished to avoid all danger of detection. He didn't want Rebecca to surmise that he had been working a deception upon her all these years. She must never guess how hard he had tried to make himself suitable for her. He didn't want pity any more than he wanted submission.

More than a year ago Nathan had bought an engagement ring for Rebecca. He had observed that in Mrs. Barton's world most all the young married