And now the white duck murmured.
"The lovely dear, where did you get her?" Anne asked.
"In the hills, to cheer up Diogenes."
He set the white duck down. She shook her feathers and again spoke interrogatively. And now Diogenes lifted his head and answered. For a few moments he rent the air with his song of triumph. Then he turned and led the way to the river. There was a quiet pool in the bend of the bank. The old drake breasted its shining waters, and presently the white duck followed. With a sort of restrained coquetry she turned her head from side to side. All her questions were answered, all her murmurs stilled.
Richard and Anne smiled at each other. "What made you think of it?" she asked.
"I thought you'd like it."
"I do." She began to twist up her hair.
"Please don't. I like to see it down."
"But people will be coming in."
"Why should we be here when they come? I'll put Ben in the stable—and we'll go for a walk. Do you know there are violets in the wood?"