“Indeed, Your Highness. You have not explained why you came.”
“I think,” said Christopher, considering hard and speaking with slow deliberation, “I think, only it is so preposterously silly, that I came to see you, or perhaps it was Cæsar or Nevil if it were not Max.”
Patricia laughed deliciously and leant forward, making pretence to box his ears. Christopher shook the bough in revenge till she cried pax, and peace supervened.
“Since you have evidently no business of your own to see to,” she said severely, “it shall be my business to teach you to appreciate Robert Bridges.”
“I don’t like his name; who is he?” Christopher grumbled.
“He is a genius and you must sit at his feet and listen.”
“Isn’t it respectful to stand?”
She regarded him gravely with her head on one side. “True humility sits ill on you, I fear. You may stand if you take off your hat.”
He flung it on the grass obediently. 203
“The Cliff Edge.” “The Cliff Edge has a carpet ... of purple, gold, and green.”