For Belle was happy in the expectation of marriage with this lithe Lothario, and he was happy in the certainty that he would seduce her. He spoke of the good state of his spirits one morning to Wilmott, as he carried his bacon and fried potatoes to him. Wilmott raised his eyes from last week’s paper to look into the dignified but amiable countenance of his protégé. “You look nice and cheerful this morning, Tite,” he remarked. “I feel happy, Boss,” said Tite. “Even more so than usual. I cannot explain why but there it is. The sunshine is so yellow. The river so smooth. Yesterday I rode that old grey mare of the Whiteoaks down to the lake and it was as smooth as the river. I rode the mare out into the water till it reached her belly. She took a big drink and then turned her head to give me a look of gratitude. She was as grateful as a woman. Life is very interesting, isn’t it, Boss?” “I suppose life is as interesting as we make it, Tite.”
