IV
Maybe I was not quite awake. Maybe I was not really bright, though everybody thinks of himself as bright, I suppose. Maybe it was everything that had happened since the renumbering. Maybe I was fed up and maybe something about the quiet woods called out: Rebel! Rebel!
I don't know.
I pointed to the brook, the overhanging bank, and said, "In there! Quick!"
They scuttled. They passed me and looked at me half-thankfully, half-fearfully.
The voices came nearer.
"Come on! This way! They can't get far!"
I wrapped myself in my cloak and sat down and pretended to be gazing at the stars.
A moment later three Deacons burst upon the clearing. I turned slowly, and stared at them, showing mild artificial surprise. Handsome, burly fellows. The one in the middle was a positive Apollo; I was sure that he waved his hair. He glared at me.