Page:Complete Works of Lewis Carroll.djvu/716

696 her so specially anxious to do all she could think of to ensure my comfort, and make me feel at home. The lonely evening seemed long and tedious: yet I lingered on, watching the dying fire, and letting Fancy mould the red embers into the forms and faces belonging to bygone scenes. Now it seemed to be Bruno's roguish smile that sparkled for a moment, and died away : now it was Sylvie's rosy cheek : and now the Professor's jolly round face, beaming with delight. "You're welcome, my little ones!" he seemed to say. And then the red coal, which for the moment embodied the dear old Professor, began to wax dim, and with its dying lustre the words seemed to die away into silence. I seized the poker, and with an artful touch or two revived the waning glow, while Fancy — no coy minstrel she — sang me once again the magic strain I loved to hear.

"You're welcome, little ones!" the cheery voice repeated. "I told them you were coming. Your rooms are all ready for you. And the Emperor and the Empress — well, I think they're rather pleased than otherwise! In fact. Her Highness said 'I hope they'll be in time for the Banquet!' Those were her very words, I assure you!"

"Will Uggug be at the Banquet?" Bruno asked. And both children looked uneasy at the dismal suggestion.

"Why, of course he will!" chuckled the Professor. "Why, it's his birthday, don't you know? And his health will be drunk, and all that sort of thing. What would the Banquet be without him?"

"Ever so much nicer," said Bruno. But he said it in a very low voice, and nobody but Sylvie heard him.

The Professor chuckled again. "It'll be a jolly Banquet, now you've come, my little man! I am so glad to see you again!"