.. with a book along."
"Do you like books?"
"Aye, fine!"
"I like them right well. Are there any pretty girls around here?"
"I don't know. I don't like girls."
"I like them at times, in their places. You must wrestle bravely,
you're so strong in the shoulder and long in the arm!"
"You're not so big, but you look strong yourself."
Each measured the other with his eyes. Friendship was already here. It
was as though hand had fitted into glove.
"What is your dog named?"
"Hector."
"Mine's Bran. You come to Glenfernie to-morrow and I'll show you a
place that's all mine. It's the room in the old keep. I've books there
and apples and nuts and curiosities. There's a big fireplace, and my
father's let me build a furnace besides, and I've kettles and
crucibles and pans and vials--"
"What for?"
Alexander paused and gazed at Ian, then gave into his keeping the
great secret. "Alchemy. I'm trying to change lead into gold."
Ian thrilled. "I'll come! I'll ride over. I've a beautiful mare."
"It's not eight miles--"
"I'll come. We're just in at Black Hill, you see, and I've had no time
to make a place like that! But I'll show you my room. Here's the park
gate."
They walked up an avenue overarched by elms, to a house old but not so
old, once half-ruinous, but now mended and being mended, enlarged, and
decorated, the aim a spacious place alike venerable and modern.
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