Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/46



OOR Harry was disappointed of a trip to Greece, owing to illness in his family, and whilst he was moping during his parents’ absence, Herodotus came upon him one day in the garden, and spent several days with him recounting tales of ancient Greece and Persia. Harry was much grieved

when his entertaining friend left him, but Herodotus promised to return the next year and tell him more strange tales. It was Midsummer again, and Harry had returned from the long-deferred trip to Greece full of excitement and wonder at all he had seen. He wandered down to his favourite spot by the river side. There he sat dreaming over all he had seen, when a shadow suddenly fell across the grass. Harry looked up sharply. It was Herodotus, his old friend, in his flowing white garments, gazing down at him with his clear eyes.

Harry sprang to his feet.

“Oh, sir! Oh, Herodotus! How glad I am to see you again.”

The Greek smiled.

“And I am much rejoiced to see thee.”

“Didst thou visit my native country? Thou hast seen the City of the Violet Crown, and many other spots famed in history and in song? Thou hast trod ground which the heroes trod—thou hast gazed on the mountains which witnessed their wondrous deeds, on the sea which bore them away on strange journeys?”

“Yes,” answered Harry, his eyes sparkling, “and it was all far, far finer than I thought it would be. Besides, everything you had