CHAPTER II

FANCY--SEED OF WONDER


The country house, so ancient that it seemed part of the landscape,
settled down secretively into the wintry darkness and watched the
night with eyes of yellow flame. The thick December gloom hid it
securely from attack. Nothing could find it out. Though crumbling in
places, the mass of it was solid as a fortress, for the old oak beams
had resisted Time so long that the tired years had resigned themselves
to siege instead of assault, and the protective hills and woods
rendered it impregnable against the centuries. The beleaguered
inhabitants felt safe. It was a delightful, cosy feeling, yet
excitement and surprise were in it too. Anything _might_ happen, and
at any moment.

This, at any rate, was how Judy and Tim felt the personality of the
old Mill House, calling it Daddy's Castle. Maria expressed no opinion.
She felt and knew too much to say a word. She was habitually non-
committal. She shared the being of the ancient building, as the
building shared the landscape out of which it grew so naturally.
Having been born last, her inheritance of coming Time exceeded that of
Tim and Judy, and she lived as though thoroughly aware of her
prerogative. In quiet silence she claimed everything as her very own.