Milo laughed and clapped Glawen about the shoulders.
"Come:
now, don't be annoyed! I'm happy that you like me well enough to worry."
Glawen managed a laugh of his own.
"The situation would still annoy me, even if I didn't like you."
Toward Wayness Glawen felt something more complicated than simple liking, and he was not sure how to deal with the emotion. She entered his thoughts ever more regularly and almost against his will, since he wanted no more heartaches.
It would be dreadful, he thought, to fall in love with Wayness and then discover that she reciprocated not at all.
And then what would he do?
Wayness' impersonal amiability gave no clue as to her feelings. Glawen even suspected sometimes that she went out of her way to avoid him, which caused him new pangs of doubt and puzzlement.
In sheer frustration Glawen threw himself down in a chair, gazed out the window and tried to come to some sort of decision. If he attempted a closer relationship with the girl, and she politely but definitely discouraged him, as seemed probable, then he would be miserable. On the other hand, if he failed to make the effort and simply went brooding about his affairs, then he lost even more definitely by default and would also be miserable--in fact, more miserable than ever because now he would feel shame for his cowardice ... Glawen took a deep breath. What was he, then? A Clattuc or a milksop? Girding himself with all his courage, Glawen called Wayness on the telephone: "It's Glawen here."
"Indeed! And to what do I owe this honor?"
"This is a personal call. I'd like to do something special with you tomorrow, but I have to ask you first."
"It's certainly polite of you to give me a choice, and I'm favorably impressed. In fact, I'm even a bit excited. What do you have in mind? I hope it's something I like--although I'd probably agree anyway."
"Tomorrow should be a fine day for sailing. I thought we could take the sloop down to Ocean Island for a picnic."
"That sounds quite nice."
"Then you'll go?"
"Yes."
The day could not have been finer had Glawen made all the arrangments himself. Syrene shone bright in the blue morning sky; a co breeze from the northeast left an invigorating tingle on the skin as passed by, and also blew from exactly the right quarter.
Glawen and Wayness, arriving early at the Clattuc boathous boarded the sloop, hoisted sail and cast off lines. The boat drifted o\softline upon the river, caught the breeze, danced and plunged, then swui about and moved downstream: across the lagoon, through the riw mouth and out upon the ocean.
Glawen set the wind vane to hold course south by east; the sloop sailed away from the shore and into region of endless slow swells of transparent blue water, just bare ruffled with cat's-paws.
They made themselves comfortable on the cockpit cushions.
"I
like this kind of sailing," said Wayness.
"The world is seren and it induces me to be serene. There is nothing to be heard but tl soft sound of my voice. Guilt and remorse are wisps of the imaginatiol Responsibilities are of even less account. Schoolwork: less than bubbi in the wake!"
"If only it were so," said Glawen.
"I'm sorry you reminded me."
"Reminded you of what? Surely it can't be that bad!"
"You're just lucky that you're a girl and it can't happen to you."
"Glawen, please don't be cryptic. I don't like mysteries. What h disturbed you so? Is it me? Do I talk too much? I like it out here < the ocean!"
"I probably shouldn't discuss the matter," said Glawen.
"But- why not? Last night Bodwyn Wook ordered me to do something awful."
Wayness uttered a nervous laugh.
"I hope it doesn't have anythil to do with me. Like marooning or throwing overboard."
"Worse," said Glawen gloomily.
"Worse? Is there anything worse?"
"Judge for yourself. I am commanded to join the Bold Lions."
"Bad, I agree. But not worse ... What did you say?"
"First I'll tell you what I should have said: "If you are so keen < the Bold Lions, join them yourself!" But I was tongue-tied for shod Finally I asked: "Why me? Kirdy is already in the group!" He said:
am quite aware of the fact. Kirdy, however, is a bit moony, and n always predictable. We need you!" I asked again: "But why? Why me All he would say was: "You'll find out in due course." I said: "Evident I am to be a spy." He said:
"Naturally! What else?" I mentioned th at last I could cherish Aries' enmity, since he would never allow me in the group. He just laughed and said never fear;
