“There’s pater familias!” piped Capricornus. “Don’t he look ill?”
As they mounted the flight of imitation marble steps the face disappeared abruptly.
“He’s coming to let us in,” said Capricornus. “You’re sure you’ve brought the crab and all the rashes?”
“Quite sure.”
“Because, if you haven’t, I don’t know whatever mater familias’ll—”
At this moment the portal of the lodge was furtively opened about half an inch, and a very small segment of ashen-coloured human face, containing a large and apprehensive eye, was shown in the aperture.
“Are you alone?” said the hollow voice of Mr. Sagittarius.
“Quite, quite alone,” said the Prophet, reassuringly.
“It’s all right, pater familias!” cried Capricornus. “He’s brought all the rashes and the first tooth and everything. I made him.”
“I don’t think he wanted to,” added the little Corona, suddenly developing malice.