Page:The golden age.djvu/239

THE ROMAN ROAD even a second-class kingdom—some of them'll be there, I hope?'

'Yes, if you like,' I replied, not quite understanding him; 'if they're friends of yours, we'll ask 'em, of course.'

'What a time we shall have!' said the artist reflectively; 'and how shocked old Marcus Aurelius will be!'

The shadows had lengthened uncannily, a tide of golden haze was flooding the grey-green surface of the downs, and the artist began to put his traps together, preparatory to a move. I felt very low: we would have to part, it seemed, just as we were getting on so well together. Then he stood up, and he was very straight and tall, and the sunset was in his hair and beard as he stood there, high over me. He took my hand like an equal. 'I've enjoyed our conversation very much,' he said. 'That was an interesting subject you started, and we haven't half exhausted it. We shall meet again, I hope?'

'Of course we shall,' I replied, surprised that there should be any doubt about it. 173