But as the boats vanished around a point of land, Bob’s resolution failed, and for a moment his face twitched. Then he started off, and tramped twice around the shore of the little island, as if running a race with himself. That done, he went into Bessie’s room, took a book that she was reading aloud to Fred, and presented himself before the boy, who, now stripped of his foliage, had settled himself for a long, dull day.

“Got left,” he said briefly, as he seated himself.

And Fred understood the sacrifice.