The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-17
rNsrALLMENr III

4SA6k sbO00O4 090sb &hA AVSASA at the girl. She appeared to be a peasant child. She wore heavy boots, q cotton dress with q tight bodice. full skirt and blouse of course linen. All these garments were soaked through and clinging to her. Her rough cloak was thrown in a heap on the landing stage and looked like . dog out of the water. A welcome warmth beat from her body to his. Taking one of her pigtaiis in her teeth she plaited the wet loosened hair into q neat rope again. Then she laid one hand over his heart.
 Now just keep still" she said. "You can't talk while your teeth chatter like that. What were your parents thing of, you silly baby? You don't know the lake yet, suppose? As soon as ever saw you out there this afternoon I thought to myself there'd be trou- ble. Then I lost sight of you with the telescope and at last I went oue with the boat to find you. That wasn't too easy either in the storm. Would you really have been drowned if hadn't picked you up?"
 "I don't think so. should have pulled through. don't let myself be beaten 50 easily"
 q see," she said. Then she sat for . while with her hands clasped round her knees and looked at him reflectively as if there were a ser . ious problem to solve. Her eyes were of dull impenetrable black, and the light of the lantern gleam- ed in them. She was small, quite . child, and yet very womanly in ex- pression and form, like. round, downy half-ripe fruit. Il
 What ure you callcd?" asked Martin. He had a strong desire to ton dress and fall asleep.
 Pluck" said she, as she took his hair and squeezed the last drops of water out of 1t.
 "How do you mean? How do you mean-Puck?" he asked, shifting his numbed wet body farther from the warmth of hers. At once she moved conhdingly up to him again.
 How do l mean? Why, mean Puck, that's all. Mothers an act- ress you see. Mothers splendid. Do you come from Vienna? Then you must know her too. She plays at the Burgtheater. They won't let me 70, but 1t must be very beautiful. Her stage name is Camilla Bojan."
 Tho Bojan! Heavens!" said he. "And I thought you were g peas
 "Yes, I'm that as well. I'm lit- tie odd as matter of fact. you know. like best living in the country. Here for the summer and In the winter at Hornbuhel. The snow-I can't tell you what 1t means to me. Sometimes want to burrow right into the earth. And then again want to run away and away from 1t. Father calls me 'Lit- tie Weasel.' Father is very good. A little mad, too. So is mother. but in another way. And what are you like?" she asked abruptly, and she gave him little tap on the forehead. The light touch was too much for his exhausted nerves, and shudder ran through him.
 "What am I to do with you now, boy?" asked Puck. T shall have you Ill if you lie there with nothing on. And can't take you into the house. There are people there to- day, and papa is reading his new book aloud. Philosophy. Do you know anything about that? No more do I. If I took you in as you are in only your bathing drawers, they'd laugh at you perhaps. And I can't row you across now either. I'm too tired. And you aren't good for much at present. We must get you warm first. It'll be perfect weather in two hours, and then I'll lend you my boat. Can you work a stern-oar?"
 "Where are we then?" asked Martin. He shivered violently and still lay with slack outstretched arms. Are we really on the other shore?"
 Sounds jolly, aoesn,t ,a #? .on the song of that"
 Puck hummed a few birdlike notes, as she shipped the oar and locked the paddock of the chain and then carefully wiped her wet hands on her wet dresA There was something unreal about her as she busied herself here and there. now advancing and now retreating amid darkness, water, and lanter-light. Martin shut his eyes.
 "How do you know the weather will clear? You are an odd little woman," he said half asleep.
 She took hold of him at once by the shoulders. "0et up," she called out loudly. "You can't sleep here get inflammation of the lungs. Get up, quick, As for the weather, I've q nose for 1t. There isn't much about this lake don't know. When inc sweet-rush has this strong smeIl 1t means fine weather. Come aiong. We'll walt In the bathing hut till the rain stopA"
 They went along beneath trees whose branches roared in the wind, across some grass and onto c path, up hili and then down till they