the water which I had made hot and led the way to the miniature pool I had used. I spread the sheet on the bank, which now was alight with sunshine, and set the pail by its side; and there I left my lady to do what she could with a tube of my shaving-cream, for Freda's soap was not fit for delicate skin.
I had swept the stairs and the kitchen, had set our breakfast in the garden and was staring uneasily at Max, who had thrown his bedding out of his cradle and had twice removed his nightshirt in my despite, when I heard a step behind me, and there was Helena dressed as a country girl.
I cannot attempt to describe the picture she made.
I can only say that her skirt was of pure white linen and her beautiful legs were bare; that her shirt was short sleeved, embroidered very richly, cut low and round at the neck; that the flame of her kerchief was dulled by the lights in her hair.
"I had to change," she said simply. "I shall wash my own things this morning and press them this afternoon."
"I'm glad you did." I said feebly. "You— you look very nice."
"More in the picture, John?" I shook my head.
"All you've done," I said, "is to alter the picture's frame." I turned to the child. "And now about this infant. What's biting him I don't know. I've let him out twice, but that isn't what he wants. And he's fed right up with that shirt. It seems all right to me, but he won't keep it on. And look at his bedclothes!"
Helena crowed with laughter.
"You are stupid, John! Of course he wants to get up. If you'll go and get some warm water, we'll sluice him down on the grass."
Before I was back with a bucket she had fetched some things from the bedroom, and among them a tiny smock. With Sabre in close attendance I carried the naked urchin on to the neighbouring sward, and there we performed his ablutions— because, I think, the water was warm, to his great delight. He was a fine little boy, and stood up straight and smiling with Helena's hands in his while I let the water trickle over his face and head. His drying was a great business, with which, of course, Sabre must help, and we were all three laughing before it was done. Then he stood up again to be dressed, and when that was done I held him while Helena brushed his hair with her own pretty brush. By the time he had had his breakfast and was ready to enter his pen, I must confess that I could have eaten three meals, and poor Sabre was more than thankful for his portion of eggs and milk; but that such impatience was shameful I frankly admit, for few children, I think, that were not yet three years old would have suffered two strangers so gladly— and one of the strangers a fool— or have found any lack of understanding but matter for mirth. I would say that Helena had charmed him, for her way with the child was that of a laughing angel; and his eyes lit up at her coming, as though each time she appeared she made him some gift, yet to me he was very civil from first to last; if I overruled his intentions he never cried, and when later that day I made him a chair and a table for the wooden monkey to use, he inspected them very gravely and then put his arms round my neck.
AT half-past four Max awoke and was given his tea, and after a little while we sat down and ate our own; but since at half-past five my cousin had not appeared, we put out our pitcher and made ourselves scarce.
From the covert which we selected we could see the way to Witchcraft, yet could not be seen, for the ground rose up a little, to make a knoll, yet the bracken made us a breastwork through which we could see when we pleased, which no eye looking up from the path could ever have pierced.
As I turned to peer through the fronds :
"You are very impatient," said Helena.
"That's the wrong word," said I. "I can't tell you what's the right one, but it's rather like standing on a platform seeing somebody off by train."
Helena knitted her brows.
"I know the feeling," she said, "but I don't see how it
I had swept the stairs and the kitchen, had set our breakfast in the garden and was staring uneasily at Max, who had thrown his bedding out of his cradle and had twice removed his nightshirt in my despite, when I heard a step behind me, and there was Helena dressed as a country girl.
I cannot attempt to describe the picture she made.
I can only say that her skirt was of pure white linen and her beautiful legs were bare; that her shirt was short sleeved, embroidered very richly, cut low and round at the neck; that the flame of her kerchief was dulled by the lights in her hair.
"I had to change," she said simply. "I shall wash my own things this morning and press them this afternoon."
"I'm glad you did." I said feebly. "You— you look very nice."
"More in the picture, John?" I shook my head.
"All you've done," I said, "is to alter the picture's frame." I turned to the child. "And now about this infant. What's biting him I don't know. I've let him out twice, but that isn't what he wants. And he's fed right up with that shirt. It seems all right to me, but he won't keep it on. And look at his bedclothes!"
Helena crowed with laughter.
"You are stupid, John! Of course he wants to get up. If you'll go and get some warm water, we'll sluice him down on the grass."
Before I was back with a bucket she had fetched some things from the bedroom, and among them a tiny smock. With Sabre in close attendance I carried the naked urchin on to the neighbouring sward, and there we performed his ablutions— because, I think, the water was warm, to his great delight. He was a fine little boy, and stood up straight and smiling with Helena's hands in his while I let the water trickle over his face and head. His drying was a great business, with which, of course, Sabre must help, and we were all three laughing before it was done. Then he stood up again to be dressed, and when that was done I held him while Helena brushed his hair with her own pretty brush. By the time he had had his breakfast and was ready to enter his pen, I must confess that I could have eaten three meals, and poor Sabre was more than thankful for his portion of eggs and milk; but that such impatience was shameful I frankly admit, for few children, I think, that were not yet three years old would have suffered two strangers so gladly— and one of the strangers a fool— or have found any lack of understanding but matter for mirth. I would say that Helena had charmed him, for her way with the child was that of a laughing angel; and his eyes lit up at her coming, as though each time she appeared she made him some gift, yet to me he was very civil from first to last; if I overruled his intentions he never cried, and when later that day I made him a chair and a table for the wooden monkey to use, he inspected them very gravely and then put his arms round my neck.
AT half-past four Max awoke and was given his tea, and after a little while we sat down and ate our own; but since at half-past five my cousin had not appeared, we put out our pitcher and made ourselves scarce.
From the covert which we selected we could see the way to Witchcraft, yet could not be seen, for the ground rose up a little, to make a knoll, yet the bracken made us a breastwork through which we could see when we pleased, which no eye looking up from the path could ever have pierced.
As I turned to peer through the fronds :
"You are very impatient," said Helena.
"That's the wrong word," said I. "I can't tell you what's the right one, but it's rather like standing on a platform seeing somebody off by train."
Helena knitted her brows.
"I know the feeling," she said, "but I don't see how it
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