"We've got tobacco all right," said Robert. "You know," he added to Janet, "in that tin labelled 'For—'"
But Janet stopped him in time, and drew him aside. "Run and get it," she said; "but be sure to scrape the label off. He wouldn't like to see 'For Tramps and Gipsies' on it."
Robert was quickly back, and handed the tin to the giant, who was delighted.
He was just beginning his thanks when a shrill whistle sounded, and he said good-bye instead.
"That's His Majesty," he explained. "He thinks I've been long enough. And I am long enough," he added, making his only joke—"too long. Well, good-bye. I'm glad to have met you. Don't forget to look for the Human Colossus whenever you come to a fair. It's easy to remember the Human Colossus. Good-bye."
And he shambled off through the trees to the road.
They had their last lunch with Kink just outside Faringdon's red town, and then sped him on his solitary way home, promising, however, to come and meet him somewhere outside London in three or four days' time; and so they stood in a group in the middle of the road until the Slowcoach and its driver and its black guardian were out of sight. And if some of their eyes were not quite dry, I am sure you don't blame them.
"Now," said Robert, as he made a note of what his pedometer said—sixty-seven miles and a quarter, for he considered this the end of the real walk—"now for the station."
First, however, a telegram had to go, and Hester insisted on sending it, as she had an idea, and this is what she sent:
"Avory, The Gables, Chiswick. Alas! alack! we're coming back."