'No—it's something I remember,' he said absently, and presently hit upon it, with a look of pleasure.
'They did know a thing or two, didn't they? That's fine anyway?' He handed her the book. 'But I forget some of the words. Do you mind giving me a construe?' he said humbly.
Elizabeth translated, feeling rather choky.
'"On the Spartans at Thermopylæ.
'"Him—"'
'That's Xerxes, of course,' put in Desmond.
'"Him, who changed the paths of earth and sea, who sailed upon the mainland, and walked upon the deep—him did Spartan valour hold back, with just three hundred spears. Shame on you, mountains and seas!"'
'Well, that's all right, isn't it?' said the boy simply, looking up. 'Couldn't put it better if you tried, could you?' Then he said, hesitating a little as he turned down the leaf, and put the book in his pocket, 'Five of the fellows who were in the Sixth with me this time last year are dead by now. It makes you think a bit, doesn't it?—Hullo, there is father!'
He turned joyously, his young figure finely caught in the light of Elizabeth's lamp against the background of the Nikê.
'Well, father you have been a time! I thought you'd forgotten altogether I was off to-night.'