“My child,” he said at length, “where—how came you—why, this—”
“Yes, yes, father,” interrupted the lad, with a tearful laugh. “I’ll tell you all about it in good time; but I’ve got other things to speak of which are more interesting to both of us. Sit down and let me sit on your knee, as I used to do long ago.”
Gadarn meekly obeyed.
“Now listen,” said Cormac, putting his mouth to his father’s ear and whispering.
The chief listened, and the first effect of the whispering was to produce a frown. This gradually and slowly faded, and gave place to an expression of doubt.
“Are you sure, child?—sure that you—”
“Quite—quite sure,” interrupted Cormac with emphasis. “But that is not all—listen!”
Gadarn listened again; and, as the whispering continued, there came the wrinkles of humour over his rugged face; then a snort that caused Cormac to laugh ere he resumed his whispering.
“And he knows it?” cried Gadarn, interrupting and suppressing a laugh.
“Yes; knows all about it.”