Page:Two Magics.djvu/274

266 "Oh, I had got you by heart," she returned, "from books and drawings and photos; I had you in my pocket when I came: so, you see, as soon as you were so good as to give me my head and let me loose, I knew my way about. It's all here, every inch of it," she competently continued, "and now at last I can do what I want!"

A light of consternation, at this, just glimmered in Chivers's face. "And pray, mum, what might that be?"

"Why, take you right back with me—to Missoura Top."

This answer seemed to fix his bewilderment, but he was there for the general convenience.

"Do I understand you, mum, that you require to take me?"

Her particular convenience, on the spot, embraced him, so new and delightful a sense had he suddenly read into her words. "Do you mean to say you'd come—as the old Family Servant? Then do, you nice real thing: it's just what I'm dying for—an old Family Servant! You're somebody's else, yes—but everything, over here, is somebody's else, and I want, too, a first-rate second-hand one, all ready made, as you are, but not too much done up. You're