"
"Delighted," replied Betty, "though not overwhelmingly surprised at the
invitation. Howsumever, we must fly back home for some purple and fine
linen, and then we'll return anon. I'm usually returning here, anon! I
wonder what I ever did, Patty, before you came here to live as our
hospitable neighbours!"
"There's half an hour, Azalea," said Van Reypen, "come for a toddle down
to the brook, and let's talk things over."
The two started off, and for a few moments walked along in silence.
Azalea was in a quiet, chastened mood,--a side of her character that
Phil had never before seen, and he noted with pleasure the gentle
sweetness of her face and the soft tones of her voice.
"It woke me up," she said, reminiscently, "when that man tried to take
Fleurette from my arms. I would have fought him like a tiger if I hadn't
suddenly realised that the way to fix _him_ was by strategy. I just
happened to think that by means of the record I could fool him into
believing we were in the library, when really we were flying to refuge.
I knew he wouldn't come in as long as he felt sure we were there, for he
was watching out for the Farnsworths' return. So, I tried the scheme,
and it worked!"
"Then you went bravely back to face the music!"
"Oh, I wasn't afraid of him,--for myself. He's not at all a ruffian
sort,--and he never would have hurt the baby. Only,--he was bound to get
her!"
"Well, he didn't succeed,--thanks to you, and I don't think he'll ever
try it again.
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