kite on his arm, like a shield, while Dora frisked round in
admiration, and a train of humbler admirers flocked in the rear.

I hurried down into the street to tell Harold of my old friend's wish
to see them, and he followed me at once, with that manner which was
not courtesy, because, without being polished, it was so much more.
Dora was much displeased, being ardent on the kite's tail, and
followed with sullen looks, while Harold had to stoop low to get into
the room, and brushed the low ceiling with his curly hair as he stood
upright, Miss Woolmer gazing up to the very top of him. I think she
was rather disappointed that he had not taken more after his father;
and she told him that he was like his uncle Lewthwayte, looking
keenly to see whether he shrunk from the comparison to a man who had
died a felon's death; but he merely answered, "So I have been told."

Then she asked for his mother, and he briefly replied that she was
well and in New Zealand. There was an attempt at noticing Dora, to
which she responded like the wild opossum that she was, and her
fidgeting carried the day. Harold only made answer to one or two
more observations, and then could not but take leave, promising on
the entreaty of the old lady, to come and see her again. I outstayed
them, being curious to hear her opinion.

"A superb being," she said, with a long breath; "there's the easy
strength of a Greek demi-god in every tread."

"He seems to me more like Thor in Nifelheim," I said, "being, no
doubt, half a Viking to begin with."

"They are all the same, as people tell us now," she said, smiling.