They clung together like children. Presently Norah put up her hand, feeling the rough serge of his coat.
“It isn’t a dream,” she said. “Tell me it isn’t, Jimmy-boy. Don’t let me wake up.”
Jim’s laugh was very tender.
“I’m no dream,” he said. “All these months have been the dream—and you can wake up now.”
She shivered, putting her face against him.
“Oh—it’s been so long!”
Then, suddenly, she caught his hand.
“Come!” she said breathlessly. “Come quickly—to Dad!”
They ran across the park, hand in hand. Near the house Jim paused.
“I say, old chap, we can’t take him by surprise,” he said. “I was going to sneak in by the back door, and get hold of Miss de Lisle and Allenby, to tell you. Hadn’t you better go and prepare him a bit?”