"So you will have to put up with me!" and John Derringham laughed,
furious now with himself for his increasing irritation.

"I must be going," Halcyone then announced and got up from her
chair--"and I will tell my aunts that they may expect you to-morrow
night," she continued, addressing Mr. Carlyon.

He rose and prepared to accompany her down the garden. She bowed to John
Derringham with quiet dignity as he still lay on the ground and walked
on by the side of her Professor without further words.

"You don't like my old pupil, Halcyone?" Mr. Carlyon said when they got
to the gap in the hedge. "Tell me, what do you see at the other side of
his head?"

"Himself," was all she answered as she bounded lightly away laughing,
and was soon lost to view in the copse beyond.

And Cheiron, considerably amused, returned to his prostrate guest to
find him with a frown upon his face.

"I hope to goodness, Master, you won't bore me with that brat while I am
here," he exclaimed, "chattering aphorisms like a parrot. I can't stand
children out of their place."




CHAPTER VII