So saying he knelt down before the little tree, while Blink on her haunches, very quiet beside him, looked wiser than many dogs.
A familiar gurgling sound roused him from his devotions, and turning his head he saw his young neighbour in the garb of a nurse, standing on the path behind him. “She has dropped from heaven,” he thought for all nurses are angels.
And, taking off his hat, he said:
“You surprised me at a moment of which I am not ashamed; I was communing with Beauty. And behold! Aurora is with me.”
“Say, rather, Borealis,” said the young lady. “I was so fed-up with hospital that I had to have a scamper before turning in. If you're going home we might go together?”
“It would, indeed, be a joy,” said Mr. Lavender. “The garb of mercy becomes you.”
“Do you think so?” replied the young lady, in whose cheeks a lovely flush had not deepened. “I call it hideous. Do you always come out and pray to that tree?”
“I am ashamed to say,” returned Mr. Lavender, “that I do not. But I intend to do so in future, since it has brought me such a vision.”
And he looked with such deferential and shining eyes at his companion that she placed the back of her hand before her mouth, and her breast rose.
“I'm most fearfully sleepy,” she said. “Have you had any adventures lately—you and Samjoe?