"I don't want any," she murmured.
The waiter turned away in pity and was re-entering the window, when a passionate whisper fell upon his ear as well as upon Ariel's.
"TAKE IT!"
"Ma'am?" said the waiter.
"I've changed my mind," she replied, quickly.
The waiter, his elation restored, gave of his viands with the superfluous bounty loved by his race when distributing the product of the wealthy.
When he had gone, "Give me everything that's hot," said Joe."You can keep the salad.""I couldn't eat it or anything else," she answered, thrusting the plate between the palms.
For a time there was silence.From within the house came the continuous babble of voices and laughter, the clink of cutlery on china.The young people spent a long time over their supper.By-and-by the waiter returned to the veranda, deposited a plate of colored ices upon Ariel's knees with a noble gesture, and departed.
"No ice for me," said Joe.
"Won't you please go now?" she entreated!
"It wouldn't be good manners," he responded.
"They might think I only came for supper--""Hand me back the things.The waiter might come for them any minute.""Not yet.I haven't quite finished.I eat with contemplation, Ariel, because there's more than the mere food and the warmth of it to consider.
There's the pleasure of being entertained by the great Martin Pike.Think what a real kindness I'm doing him, too.I increase his good deeds and his hospitality without his knowing it or being able to help it.Don't you see how I boost his standing with the Recording Angel? If Lazarus had behaved the way I do, Dives needn't have had those worries that came to him in the after-life.""Give me the dish and coffee-cup," she whispered, impatiently."Suppose the waiter came and had to look for them? Quick!""Take them, then.You'll see that jealousy hasn't spoiled my appetite--"A bottle-shaped figure appeared in the window and she had no time to take the plate and cup which were being pushed through the palm-leaves.