“Then you shouldn’t strut along like a game-cock just come in for his spring feathers.”
“I didn’t,” said Dummy angrily.
“You did. But go on. I will not laugh at you any more.”
A complete change came over the boy, and he went on gravely enough after the reproof, till, to the surprise of all, they were led into the chamber hung with the veils of stalactite, where Dummy stopped and looked round.
“Well, my lad, what does this mean?”
Dummy smiled in a rather imbecile way, and his father nudged him heavily with his elbow.
“Don’t you hear what Sir Edward says? What you come here for? Lost your way?”
“No, I aren’t lost my way, father.”
“Then go back and show us. Where is it? Down by the old workings?”
“Nay, this is right,” said the boy, in high glee at his father’s puzzled look; and giving Sir Edward a wave of the hand, he went on to the end, and passed behind the stony veil dropping from near the roof.