Page:The Tattooed Countess (1924).pdf/288

 Yes, he replied, rising to shake hands with her, I am.

Aren't you coming to say good-bye to me?

Of course I am, Gareth assured her. I'll come to see you whenever you suggest.

When are you going?

In two or three days.

Will tomorrow evening. . . ?

That will be fine. I am leaving some books for you, he added, as she was turning away.

O, Gareth, how kind of you!

I want you to have them.

He delivered the books that same afternoon, and the conversation the next evening on the little porch of the Colman home began with a reference to them.

It's wonderful of you to give me those books, Gareth, the school-teacher said. It makes me very happy. . . and a little sad. We've read so many of them together.

I thought of that. That's why I gave them to you.

But why are you giving them away at all? You'll want them yourself when you come back.

No, Miss Colman, I won't want them. I'm going to begin all over. I'll get a new library.

The conversation lagged. It was becoming more and more difficult for them to talk with each other. In her mind and in his, also, rose a memory of the Countess. Gareth began to wish that he had