Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/51

 “Must you go already?” said Harry, his face falling.

“Yes,” replied the Greek, gathering his robes around him; “but ere I go, I pray thee remember that I tell thee many wondrous things I heard from others, but thou must not think I believe all to be true. When thou art older, thou canst search and think them out for thyself. Farewell.”

And Harry stood alone among the buttercups.

had just come back from his afternoon’s work with Mr. Grey, the clergyman, with whom he was studying that summer, for he was not strong enough to go to school. He dismounted hurriedly—Harry was lucky enough to possess a pony—and ran down to the stream. He had a presentiment that Herodotus would be there. It was several days since the Greek had told him of the wonders of Egypt, and Harry was beginning to long for his friend. For once, a presentiment came true. There by the water’s edge sat the Greek, wrapped in thought, and gazing at the yellow waterlilies with unseeing eyes. Harry was almost afraid to disturb him, but at the sound of a breaking twig Herodotus looked up and smiled.

“I am glad thou art here. I wondered if thou wouldst come.”

“Well, I had a sort of a kind of feeling you would come,” said Harry, “and so I rushed down here. I′m awfully glad to see you again, Herodotus. You see, Mother and Father are away such a lot, and I’ve no one to speak to except old Nurse, and I′m a bit lonely now and again.”

“Yes, I can understand that thou art solitary, for thou hast neither brother nor sister, but then thou hast much to make life pleasant.’

“Oh, yes,” said Harry, flicking his boot with his riding whip. “Of course I have; lots of chaps would envy me, I′m sure, but I wish I had a brother.”

Herodotus looked with admiring eyes at the little boy with his curly hair and dark eyes, and his upright figure, which riding clothes set off so well.

“Now forget thy sorrows,” he said banteringly, “and listen to more of my traveller′s tales.”

Harry sat down on the grass, clasped his arms round his knees— a favourite position of his—and fixed his eyes on Herodotus’ face.