Foes
imself from his co
" said the
od
beside him. "I
exander
lenfe
ou've g
neighbors that a
I want a friend.... I don't know i
ing along the hilltop. So when you did not come on I thought
end. "There are more miser
e them. I w
ur own country. You're e
t you can't deny
sons, named Touris
gets rich and the fool stays poor. Do you
he earth. "No, I do not want to fight-not now! I wouldn't fight
e forces, which would gain. Alexander did not feel strange with Ian, nor Ian with Alexander. It was as though they had met before. But how they had met and
le and his sister, my aunt. Come on
ose, and the two went along t
talk. "I am going soon
of the year. I am going to
to be a
want to journey-and journey-an
u like
, fi
ll. Are there any pre
ow. I don't
You must wrestle bravely, you're so stro
ig, but you look
. Friendship was already here. It was
your do
cto
room in the old keep. I've books there and apples and nuts and curiosities. There's a big fireplace
at
ve into his keeping the great secret. "Alc
ome! I'll ride over.
ot eigh
and I've had no time to make a place like that!
acious place alike venerable and modern. Workmen yet swarmed about it. The whole presented a busy, cheerful aspect-a gracious one, also, for under a monster elm befo
look born to be friends! That's as it should be.-
ly a rich man'
ough, enough! If Ian here behaves himself he'll have enough!" A master workman called him away. He went with a large wav
d of Aunt Alison-you'll like her, too-but she'll ke
curveted and caracoled. Ian and she suited each other. Indefinably, there was about him, too, something Eastern. The two went to and fro, the mare's hoofs striking music from the flags. Behind
d Fatima disappear into her sta
plative and scornful. But there were other matters besides luxury of couch and toilet. Slung against the wall appeared a fine carbine, the pistols and sword of Ian's father, and a wonderful long
did you
ad no money, so he gave him this. He said that it wa
t is
here behind him is the avenger of blood. You can't see, it is so dark. There!" He
at is it d
. I suppose Aunt Alison t
d. But things like that poison me
s like your telling me about your making gold out of lead." He opened a door of the ambry, pulled out a drawer, and, pressing some spring, revealed a narrow, secret shelf. His han
said Alexander. "Why do
in presence himself. All the gentlemen his guests drank a toast for which the finest wine was poured in especial goblets. Afterward each was given for a token
!" quoth Alexa
ge, King George!" With that he restored the goblet to the secret shelf, put back the drawer, and
r where every footfall was subdued i
at we're friends. But you
my father and mother and the chieftains my kin, and I have been with certain ki
he open door of a room.
an
we come in, Aunt Alison? It's
ms, and macaws stood between the door and the rest of
king of fine china. She turned in the great chair where she sat. "I am truly glad to see Alexander Jardine!" When he went
der. He looked at her in frank admiration,
not analyze his feeling for her, but it was presently one of great liking. Now she sat in her great chair while the maids went on with the unpacking, and questioned him about Glenfernie and all the family and
-great love. If you are going to be friends, remember that love is
August light struck slant and gold. The two quitted the house and crossed t
. They climbed the ridge that was like a purple cloud
f Jamie, but he's thre
got a
elve. You come. I've
I'm loneli
un rode low; the shadow of the hill stretched
-by,
od-
den spirits. Ian-and Ian-and Ian! Going through a grove of oaks, blackbirds flew overhead, among and above the branches. The cranes of Ibycus! The phrase flashed into mind. "I wonder why things like that disturb me so!... I wonder if there's any bottom or top to living anyhow