At last the houses grew few and scattered , and finally he left them behind . He drew a long breath ; this was better -- rather smothering yet , of course , with nothing but hills and fields and dark woods all about him , but at least his own sky was above him , looking just the same as it looked out home at Noel 's Cove . He recognized the stars as friends ; how often Stephen had pointed them out to him as they sat at night by the door of the little house . He was not at all frightened now . He knew the way home and the kind night was before him . Every step was bringing him nearer to Stephen and Nora and the Twin Sailors . He whistled as he walked sturdily along . The dawn was just breaking when he reached Noel 's Cove . The eastern sky was all pale rose and silver , and the sea was mottled over with dear grey ripples . In the west over the harbour the sky was a very fine ethereal blue and the wind blew from there , salt and bracing . Paul was tired , but he ran lightly down the shelving rocks to the cove . Stephen was getting ready to launch his boat . When he saw Paul he started and a strange , vivid , exultant expression flashed across his face . Paul felt a sudden chill -- the upspringing fountain of his gladness was checked in mid-leap . He had known no doubt on the way home -- all that long , weary walk he had known no doubt -- but now ? `` Stephen , '' he cried . `` I 've come back ! I had to ! Stephen , are you glad -- are you glad ? '' Stephen 's face was as emotionless as ever .
The burst XXXXX feeling which had frightened Paul by its unaccustomedness had passed like a fleeting outbreak of sunshine between dull clouds .
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