Between Snow and Fire — page 246: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

eet ee eee aes See eo eee eee 238 ‘TWEEN SNOW AND FIRE. - said. “There’s no earthly necessity for it. You will be horribly uncomfortable over there, Eustace, and in winter the nights will be quite bitter. Then again, the roof is a thatched one, and the first rain we get will start it leaking like a sieve. Besides, there’s plenty of room in the house,” “It isn’t that, you dear, thoughtful, considerate guardian ; angel,” he answered. “ Itisn’t quite that, though I put it that A, way for Bentley’s behoot. It is something of a concession to Mother Grundy, for even here that arch-hag can make > - her upas power felt, and I don’t want to have all the tongues Y in the district wagging like the tails of a pack of foxhounds just unkennelled. We had enough of that at Komgha. So I've arranged that at any rate we shan’t be under the same roof. See?” “Yes ; but it’s ridiculous allthe same. As if we weren't relations, too,” “And will be closer relations soon—in fact, the closest. I suppose we must wait a year—but that rests with you.” “T don’t know. It’s an awfully long time,” and she , sighed. Then rather hesitatingly: ‘‘ Darling, -you have : never yet shown me the little silver box. We are alone now, and——’”’ 3 “And you are dying to see it. Well, Eanswyth, it is really a most remarkable coincidence—in fact, almost makes a man feel superstitious.” It was near sundown. A soft, golden light rested upon the great slopes, and the cooing of doves floated melodi- ously from the mealie lands in the valley. The mountain stream roared through its rocky bed at their feet, and among the crannies and ledges of a profusion of piled up boulders forming miniature cliffs around, a whole colony of bright eyed little dasjes * were disporting themselves, scampering in and out with a boldness which augured volumes in favour of the peaceable aspect of the two human intruders upon their sequestered haunt. “* As you say, the time and place are indeed fitting,” said >. Eustace, sitting down upon a boulder and taking the box : from its place of concealment. “ Now, my darling, look ; at this. The assegai point is broken short off, driven with | such force that it has remained embedded in the hd,” * The ‘‘ rock rabbit ”—-really a species of marmot. ~- ~ 1 oe j oa . a 7 EO@MIE NOC KS 4(ECo)