But all things must have an end, alas!--even such a breakfast as this, and presently we were out in the sunshine again, standing beneath the weather-beaten sign whereon three faded fishermen fished with faded rods in a faded stream; while away down the road we could see Peter already approaching with the carriage.
"And now I suppose you are going?" said Lady Warburton.
"There is a train at half-past ten," I answered.
"An' we are going too!" said Dorothy.
"Yes, we're quite ready, Uncle Dick!" cried the Imp, thrusting his pistols into his belt.
"But you wouldn't leave me all alone, would you, children?" asked Lady Warburton, and there was a certain wistfulness in her sharp face that seemed new to it.
"'Course not," sighed the Imp, "only----"
"We must stay and take care of her, Reginald," nodded Dorothy decisively.
"Yes, I'll take care of you, Aunt, with lance, battle-axe, an' sword, by day an' night," said the Imp, "only--I should have liked to see Uncle Dick's wonderful house, with the real swords an' armour, in the Land of Heart's Delight--some day, you know."
"And so you shall!" cried Lady Warburton, and she actually stooped to kiss him, and then Dorothy, rather "pecky" kisses, perhaps, but very genuine kisses notwithstanding.