"Every one recollects the immortal exploits of Robin and his 'merrie men,'" I continued, "and you will, of course, remember that they had a habit of capturing the sheriff and tying him up to trees and things. Naturally the Imp did not proceed to that extreme. He contented himself with merely capturing the Sheriff's hat - I think that you will agree that those 'ambushes' worked line a charm, Mr. Selwyn?""Miss Elizabeth," he said, disdaining any reply, "I am aware of the af - affection you lavish upon your nephew; I hope that you will take measures to restrain him from such pranks - such very disgraceful pranks - in the future. I myself should suggest a change of companionship [here he glanced at me] as the most salutary method. Good-afternoon, Miss Elizabeth." So saying, Mr. Selwyn raised his hat, bowed stiffly to me, and turning upon an indignant heel, strode haughtily away.
"Well!" exclaimed Lisbeth, with a look of very real concern. "Very well, indeed!" I nodded; "we are alone at last.""Oh, Dick! but to have offended him like this!""A highly estimable young gentleman," I said, "though deplorably lacking in that saving sense of humour which - ""Aunt Agatha seems to think a great deal of him." "So I understand," I nodded.
"Only this morning I received a letter from her, in which, among other things, she pointed out what a very excellent match h would be.""And what do you think?"
"Oh, I agree with her, of course; his family dates back ages and ages before the Conqueror, and he has two or three estates besides Selwyn Park, and one in Scotland.""Do you know, Lisbeth, that reminds me of another house - not at all big or splendid, but of great age; a house which stands not far from the village of Down, in Kent; a house which is going to rack and ruin for want of a mistress. Sometimes, just as evening comes on, I think it must dream of the light feet and gentle hands it has known so many years ago, and feels its loneliness more than ever.""Poor old house!" said Lisbeth softly.
"Yes, a house is very human, Lisbeth, especially an old one, and feels the need of that loving care which only a woman can bestow, just as we do ourselves.""Dear old house 1" said Lisbeth, more softly than before.
"How much longer must it wait - when will you come and care for it, Lisbeth?"She started, and I thought her cheeks seemed a trifle pinker than usual as her eyes met mine.
"Dick," she said wistfully, "I do wish you would get the ladder; it's horribly uncomfortable to sit in a tree for hours and - ""First of all, Lisbeth, you will forgive the Imp - full and freely, won't you?""He shall go to bed without any tea whatever.""That will be rank cruelty, Lisbeth; remember he is a growing boy." "And I have been perched up here - between heaven and earth - all theafternoon."
"Then why not come down?" I inquired. "If you will only get the ladder - ""If you will just put your right foot in my - " "I won't!" said Lisbeth.
"As you please," I nodded, and sitting down, mechanically took out my pipe and began to fill it, while she opened her book, frowning. And after she had read very studiously for perhaps two minutes, she drew outand consulted her watch.I did the same. "A quarter to five!" I said.
Lisbeth glanced down at me with the air of one who is deliberating upon two courses of action, and when at length she spoke, every trace of irritation had vanished completely.
"Dick, I'm awfully hungry." "So am I," I nodded.
"It would be nice to have tea here under the trees, wouldn't it?" "It would be positively idyllic!" I said.
"Then if you will please find that ladder - " "If you will promise to forgive the Imp - " "Certainly not!" she retorted.
"So be it!" I sighed, and sat down again. As I did so she launched her book at me.
"Beast!" she exclaimed.
"Which means that you are ready to descend?" I inquired, rising and depositing the maltreated volume side by side with my pipe on a rustic table near-by; "very good. Place your right foot in - ""Oh, all right," she said quite pettishly, and next moment I had her in my arms.
"Dick! put me down-at once!"
"One moment, Lisbeth; that boy is a growing boy - " "And shall go to bed without any tea!" she broke in.
"Very well, then," I said, and reading the purpose in my eyes, she attempted, quite vainly, to turn her head aside.
"You will find it quite useless to struggle, Lisbeth," I warned. "Your only course is to remember that he is a growing boy.""And you are a brute!" she cried.
"Undoubtedly," I answered, bending my head nearer her petulant lips. "But think of the Imp in bed, lying there, sleepless, tealess, andgrowing all the while as fast as he can."Lisbeth surrendered, of course, but my triumph was greatly tempered with disappointment.
"You will then forgive him for the 'ambushes' and cherish him with much tea?" I stipulated, winking away a tress of hair that tickled most provokingly.
"Yes," said Lisbeth.
"And no bed until the usual hour?"
"No," she answered, quite subdued; "and now please do put me down." So I sighed and perforce obeyed.
She stood for a moment patting her rebellious hair into order with deft, white fingers, looking up at me meanwhile with a laugh in her eyes that seemed almost a challenge. I took a hasty step toward her, but as I did so the Imp hove into view, and the opportunity was lost.
"Hallo, Auntie Lisbeth!" he exclaimed, eyeing her wonderingly; then his glance wandered round as if in quest of something.
"How did she do it, Uncle Dick?" he inquired. "Do what, my Imp?""Why, get out of the tree?"I smiled and looked at Lisbeth. "Did she climb down?""No," said I, shaking my head. "Did she-jump down?""No, she didn't jump down, my Imp." "Well, did she - did she fly down?""No, nor fly down - she just came down." "Yes, but how did she - ""Reginald," said Lisbeth, "run and tell the maids to bring tea out here - for three.""Three?" echoed the Imp. "But Dorothy has gone out to tea, you know - is Uncle Dick going to - ""To be sure, Imp," I nodded.
"Oh, that is fine - hurrah, Little-John!" he cried, and darted off to ward the house.
"And you, Lisbeth?" I said, imprisoning her hands, "are you glad also?"Lisbeth did not speak, yet I was satisfied nevertheless.
