and remembered obligation to duty and his hatred of the man. Angry with himself, he cut short the Russian's inspection of the lamp, led him down again, and lighted the way to the landing in marked haste.
Later, as Jim passed through Garth's room, a murmurous voice spoke from the darkness.
"Mud—der—"
"It's Fogger, best beloved."
Jim went to the bed beneath the seaward window.
"Do—you—know what happened, Fogger?" Garth said dreamily.
"What did happen?"
"A mermaid—or something—came and sang to me—or played. I was asleep. Did you hear it, or did I just dream it?"
"Yes," Jim said; "I heard it, and so did Mudder and Joan. It was very beautiful, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Garth murmured. "Such nice things—happen—to us. And there were stars—on the—ceiling. . . ."
A Letter from Garth Pemberley to His Uncle
