What apology could he
offer for his unheard-of bungling and stupidity? Would she not look on
him as an unendurable ass? Why had he chosen so insecure a foothold and
made such a furious plunge at the fish? Over-eagerness, no doubt--
And then the next moment he noticed that her rod was still curved!
"We'll get him yet, Mr. Moore!" she called to him, in the most
good-humored fashion. "Come out on to the rock, and you'll see the
strangest-looking salmon you ever saw in your life."
And, indeed, that was an odd sight--the big fish slowly sailing round
and round the pool, with the gaff still attached and the handle floating
parallel with its side.
"It will take some time, though," said she. "I think you'd better go
away home and get dry clothes on. I'll manage him by myself."
"I dare say you would manage him better by yourself than with any help
of mine," he said, in his bitter chagrin and self-contempt. "I made sure
I had lost you the salmon."
"And what then?" she said, with some surprise. "I assure you it wasn't
the salmon I was thinking of when I saw you in the water--but the moment
you struck out I knew you were safe."
He did not speak any more; he was too humiliated and vexed.
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