George
kept an eye on the quails and declared them fairly plentiful and strong
on the wing, but nothing now could keep him from pouring out his whole
heart about Mrs. Humdrum's grand-daughter, until towards noon they caught
sight of the statues, and a halt was made which gave my father the first
pang he had felt that morning, for he knew that the statues would be the
beginning of the end.
There was no need to light a fire, for Yram had packed for them two
bottles of a delicious white wine, something like White Capri, which went
admirably with the many more solid good things that she had provided for
them. As soon as they had finished a hearty meal my father said to
George, "You must have my watch for a keepsake; I see you are not wearing
my boots. I fear you did not find them comfortable, but I am glad you
have not got them on, for I have set my heart on keeping yours."
"Let us settle about the boots first. I rather fancied that that was why
you put me off when I wanted to get my own back again; and then I thought
I should like yours for a keepsake, so I put on another pair last night,
and they are nothing like so comfortable as yours were."
"Now I wonder," said my father to me, "whether this was true, or whether
it was only that dear fellow's pretty invention; but true or false I was
as delighted as he meant me to be.
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