Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/86

 "I think I will sit down," said June.

"Please, please do!" The queer fellow came back with a start to the world of reality. "Let us sit over there on the corner of that sofa. Perhaps we may be able to see it even better then than we do now."

To the sofa they went accordingly and to June's discomfiture her mentor was at pains to dispose them both in a way that should enable them to keep the picture in their eye. June had no wish to keep the picture in her eye. She had had more than enough of it already. Besides, the large room was full of things vastly more imposing, much better worth looking at. But William, even seated on the sofa by her side, was still in thrall to this remarkable work.

There is no saying how long June's trial would have lasted, but after it had gone on for a length of time that began to seem interminable, it came to an end in the most abrupt and dramatic way. Without any kind of warning, a strange appearance swam into their ken. Uncle Si, looking spruce and businesslike, and much better dressed than usual, entered the room through the door behind them.