XXX
RUFUS PROPOSES
Rufus stepped stealthily out of the dusking garden into the lighted room, and moving noiselessly across the floor, laid his hand on Halfman’s shoulder. Halfman did not look round.
“Well, Sir Rufus,” he asked, as calmly as if the sudden touch had been some recognized, awaited signal.
“You are not to be taken by surprise, my good friend,” Sir Rufus said. Halfman shrugged his shoulders.
“It would need more than the clap of a man’s paw on my back to take me by surprise; and, besides, I saw you coming. There is a mirror near, good Sir Rufus, and even in yonder owl-light I could pick you out of the mist. Moreover, I thought you would come.”
“Why did you think I would come?” Sir Rufus asked, with a frown.
“Just because I thought it,” Halfman answered, indifferently. “And, you see, my thoughts were true thoughts.”
Sir Rufus came closer to him, speaking in his ear.