Page:Mr. Bunt.pdf/30

 MR. BUNT

25

and sitting down on the doorstep, out of sight of Annie, selects a fresh blade of grass and pressing it between his thumbs blows on it without result. And now, from the balcony above, in the quiet of the woods comes Annie's song again to baby Bunting. As the song continues, a strange, little, pathetic

figure rises slowly out of the rain pipe and steps timidly down on the balcony, waiting patiently to be addressed by Annie. He is a very small hunter indeed, all dressed

in a rabbit skin coat and cap, with bare legs and boots. On his back hangs a green hunt

ing bag and he carries a very big gun. Annie sings on, and even when she turns towards him it is as though she knew he was there and is not at all surprised at his appear ance.

In fact, even after she sees him, she goes on arranging her dolls and only after they have been attended to does she take aa packing box

and place it as a seat for Mr. Bunt, who silently takes his place as though nothing ex

traordinary was happening, except that he is a little warm and takes off his hat to fan him self.

Annie now sits opposite him and begins her conversation, very politely and delicately, as children are wont when they enter the land of the fairies.