Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/69

 “He seems to have been awfully clever,’ said Harry admiringly.

“Yes,” said Herodotus, “and he built great buildings, of which I admire most a chamber built of a single stone, which came from Elephantine. This block was so huge that it took three years to convey it to Sais, and two thousand people were employed in the journey. It stood in a strange position—just in front of the Temple of Minerva, and men give two reasons for this. One is that when it reached that spot the architect, thinking of the weary toil the stone had cost, heaved a deep sigh. Amasis chanced to hear it, and, regarding it as an omen, would not allow the stone to go further. Others say that one of the workmen happened to be crushed when the stone reached that spot, and therefore Amasis would not have it moved.”

“Oh, you aren’t going, are you?” cried Harry with unconcealed disappointment, as Herodotus rose.

“I cannot stay,” replied the Greek; “I have given thee longer than is right to-day; but I will come again on the morrow.”

Herodotus stood looking for a moment at his young friend. Then Harry said:

“Oh, but Mr, Grey will be home, and I shall not have a morning till Saturday.”

“’Tis not so long,” replied Herodotus, smiling at Harry’s downcast face. “Thou wilt enjoy it all the more when it does come.”

He laid his hand kindly for a moment on Harry’s head, and then vanished.

Harry stood disconsolate for a moment. Then he suddenly remembered that there was chocolate pudding for lunch, and that it was a splendid day for a ride. So he raced up to the house and enjoyed the rest of the day. Herodotus had told him plenty over which he could think.

At last, Saturday morning came to the impatient Harry, and he was down by the river’s brink before the dew was off the grass. Consequently he had some little while to wait for Herodotus, but he was not bored. Harry was a regular country boy, and the sights and sounds which are lost on the “town mouse” had an ever-fresh interest for him. The splash which marked a water-rat—the slowly widening circle which spoke of trout—the green or blue gleam of a