She
told it to them with laughter between her sentences, but among her
listeners was one at least who caught the undertone of sadness in the
voice.
'For, you see, that was where I made my mistake. People would do
anything in the world rather than think. They would work, give money,
build schools and hospitals, make all manner of sacrifices--only--they
would not think; because, they said, there was no visible result.' She
burst out laughing, and the children all laughed too.
'I should think not indeed,' ventured Monkey, but so low that no one
heard her.
'And so you went on thinking it all alone,' said Rogers in a low
voice.
'I tried to write it first as a story,' she answered softly, 'but
found that was beyond me; so I went on thinking it all alone, as you
say---'
'Until the Pattern of your thought floated across the world to me,'
said Daddy proudly. 'I imagined I was inspired; instead I was a
common, unoriginal plagiarist!'
'Like all the rest of us,' she laughed.
'Mummie, what _is_ a plagiarist?' asked Jinny instantly; and as
Rogers, her husband, and even Minks came hurriedly to her aid, the
spell of the strange recital was broken, and out of the turmoil of
voices the only thing distinctly heard was Mother exclaiming with
shocked surprise:--
'Why, it's ten o'clock! Jimbo, Monkey, please plagiarise off to bed at
once!'--in a tone that admitted of no rejoinder or excuses.
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