9
◈Afterward he ate supper at the house of Aunt Carrie. And then she followed him to the front door, and down the garden path surrounded by the scent of the green things in the night, and the wet garden mold. At the gate she bade him good night.
“What are you going to do, young man?” she asked him.
“I’m going to stay,” said Holden, “near enough to see that house on the hill.”
“And keep hope?”
“I suppose that I’ll have to do that. I can’t help it.”
“You are very foolish,” said the witch. “She could have a prince, if she wanted him.”
“In reputation,” said Holden, “princes are apt to be dull fellows. Perhaps she’s tired of them all!”
“You’re a very pert young man,” said the witch, and grinned broadly, because the darkness covered her smile.
“Besides,” said Holden, “I have an advantag
