“‘Royal,’ said she, ‘I should think you might tell me where you are.’”—Page 56
Royal answered by calling out, C-o-o-p; just as the children were accustomed to do, when playing hide and go seek. The direction of the sound of a voice is generally more perceptible than that of a whistle; and it was particularly so in this case, for Lucy at once perceived that the sound came from somewhere in the air. She looked up in the direction from which the sound seemed to proceed, and, to her great astonishment, saw Royal comfortably seated near the top of a great oak-tree, which stood in the corner of the yard. He was almost concealed by the branches.
“Why, Royal!” exclaimed Lucy; “what are you doing there?”
“Making whistles,” said Royal.
“O Royal!” exclaimed Lucy again.
She found, on examining more particularly his position, that he had placed a short board across from one branch to another for a seat, and that at a short distance below he had placed another board, which answered to put his feet on. The board on which he sat extended out a little way beyond the branch where it rested, and this Royal used for a sort of shelf, to put his pieces of whistle wood upon, and his knife, when he was not using it. Two whistles, also, which he had finished, were lying here. Royal was making another; and he went on very gravely with his work, while Lucy was wondering at his position.
“Lucy,” said Royal, “do you want a whistle?”
“Yes,” said Lucy.