Foes

imself from his co

" said the

od

beside him. "I

exander

lenfe

ou've g

neighbors that a

I want a friend.... I don't know i

ing along the hilltop. So when you did not come on I thought

end. "There are more miser

e them. I w

ur own country. You're e

t you can't deny

sons, named Touris

gets rich and the fool stays poor. Do you

he earth. "No, I do not want to fight-not now! I wouldn't fight

e forces, which would gain. Alexander did not feel strange with Ian, nor Ian with Alexander. It was as though they had met before. But how they had met and

le and his sister, my aunt. Come on

ose, and the two went along t

talk. "I am going soon

of the year. I am going to

to be a

want to journey-and journey-an

u like

, fi

ll. Are there any pre

ow. I don't

You must wrestle bravely, you're so stro

ig, but you look

. Friendship was already here. It was

your do

cto

room in the old keep. I've books there and apples and nuts and curiosities. There's a big fireplace

at

ve into his keeping the great secret. "Alc

ome! I'll ride over.

ot eigh

and I've had no time to make a place like that!

acious place alike venerable and modern. Workmen yet swarmed about it. The whole presented a busy, cheerful aspect-a gracious one, also, for under a monster elm befo

look born to be friends! That's as it should be.-

ly a rich man'

ough, enough! If Ian here behaves himself he'll have enough!" A master workman called him away. He went with a large wav

d of Aunt Alison-you'll like her, too-but she'll ke

curveted and caracoled. Ian and she suited each other. Indefinably, there was about him, too, something Eastern. The two went to and fro, the mare's hoofs striking music from the flags. Behind

d Fatima disappear into her sta

plative and scornful. But there were other matters besides luxury of couch and toilet. Slung against the wall appeared a fine carbine, the pistols and sword of Ian's father, and a wonderful long

did you

ad no money, so he gave him this. He said that it wa

t is

here behind him is the avenger of blood. You can't see, it is so dark. There!" He

at is it d

. I suppose Aunt Alison t

d. But things like that poison me

s like your telling me about your making gold out of lead." He opened a door of the ambry, pulled out a drawer, and, pressing some spring, revealed a narrow, secret shelf. His han

said Alexander. "Why do

in presence himself. All the gentlemen his guests drank a toast for which the finest wine was poured in especial goblets. Afterward each was given for a token

!" quoth Alexa

ge, King George!" With that he restored the goblet to the secret shelf, put back the drawer, and

r where every footfall was subdued i

at we're friends. But you

my father and mother and the chieftains my kin, and I have been with certain ki

he open door of a room.

an

we come in, Aunt Alison? It's

ms, and macaws stood between the door and the rest of

king of fine china. She turned in the great chair where she sat. "I am truly glad to see Alexander Jardine!" When he went

der. He looked at her in frank admiration,

not analyze his feeling for her, but it was presently one of great liking. Now she sat in her great chair while the maids went on with the unpacking, and questioned him about Glenfernie and all the family and

-great love. If you are going to be friends, remember that love is

August light struck slant and gold. The two quitted the house and crossed t

. They climbed the ridge that was like a purple cloud

f Jamie, but he's thre

got a

elve. You come. I've

I'm loneli

un rode low; the shadow of the hill stretched

-by,

od-

den spirits. Ian-and Ian-and Ian! Going through a grove of oaks, blackbirds flew overhead, among and above the branches. The cranes of Ibycus! The phrase flashed into mind. "I wonder why things like that disturb me so!... I wonder if there's any bottom or top to living anyhow