"Any way, it's a good thing we had some afternoon luncheon," said Gerald, though even this consoling reflection did not prevent the tears rolling down his poor fat cheeks.
We didn't as yet feel hungry—nor did we feel exactly frightened, though it did begin to feel "eerie." But very soon we felt very cold. It is strange how cold an unused room gets to feel as soon as the bright daylight goes. We had our jackets on, fortunately, and we took some of the linen covers off the chairs, and wrapped them round us, so that we looked like ghosts or dancing dervishes. And thus enveloped, we huddled together as close as we could.
And the last thing we saw as the light faded, so that everything in the room grew dim and shadowy, was the calmly smiling face of the "old princess" up above us on the wall.
I never see it now without remembering that strange evening.
CHAPTER XI.
BROTHER AND SISTER.
| "For this relief, much thanks."—Hamlet. |
y story is getting rather difficult to manage now. Indeed, I don't quite see how to do. I think, if I had known how long it would be, and what a lot of half-holidays I should have to stay in to write it, I think I would never have begun it. But I won't be laughed at for "beginning, and not ending." And if I get it rather muddley, and can't do it the way authors do who know how to plan stories, and write them so that they seem all to come of themselves, like flowers growing, you good people, whoever you are, that come to read it must forgive me and believe I did my best.