‘You shall. I shall stand between you and the wood. You cannot escape over the rock, you would be dashed to pieces. I will begin.’
Suddenly a loud voice interrupted him as he began to play—’Watt!’
Standing under the shadow of the oaks, with one foot on the rocky platform, was Jasper.
‘Watt, how came you here?’
The boy lowered his violin and stood for a moment speechless.
‘Miss Eve,’ said Jasper, ‘please go home. After all, you have encountered the pixy, and that a malicious and dangerous imp. Stand aside, Watt.’
The boy did not venture to resist. He stood back near the edge of the rock and allowed Eve to pass him.
When she was quite gone, Jasper said gravely to the boy, ‘What has brought you here?’
‘That is a pretty question to ask me, Jasper. We left you here, broken and senseless, and naturally Martin and I want to know what condition you are in. How could we tell whether you were alive or dead? You know very well that Martin could not come, so I have run here to obtain information.’