I can easily---'
Above the leaves of the plane tree he saw the stars. He saw Orion and
the Pleiades. The Fairy Net flung in and caught him. He found his
voice.
In a single stride he was beside her. Minks started at his sudden
vehemence and stepped aside.
'_I_ will take you home, Countess, if I may,' and his tone was so
unnecessarily loud and commanding that Mother turned and stared. 'Our
direction lies together. I will come up--with you.'
She did not even look at him. He saw that tiny smile that was like the
flicker of a star--no more. But he heard her answer. It seemed to fill
the sky.
'Thank you. I might lose my way alone.'
And, before he realised how she managed it, they had crossed the
cobbled yard, Daddy was swinging away downhill towards the
carpenter's, and Minks behind them, at the top of the stone steps, was
saying his last good-night to Mother. With the little visitor beside
him, he passed the singing fountain and led her down the deserted
village street beneath the autumn stars.
Three minutes later they were out of sight... when Minks came down the
steps and picked his way among the shadows after Daddy, who had the
latch-key of the carpenter's house. He ran to overtake him.
And he ran upon his toes
As softly as a saying does,
For so the saying goes!
His thoughts were very active, but as clear as day.
Pages:
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592