The crowd melted away, and only Robert and his companion
remained gazing spellbound at the closed and silent cave which had
swallowed all the enchantment.
Rufus put his hands into his hair and tugged it desperately.
"Oh, if only I could go--if only I could---- Don't you want to go,
Robert?"
Robert woke partially from his dream.
"I'm going." He turned, and with his hands thrust into his pockets began
to walk homewards. Rufus trotted feverishly at his side.
"I say, are you really? But then you've got no people; jolly for you. I
wish I hadn't. My pater's so beastly strict; I'm scared of him. I say,
when will you go?"
"To-morrow night, of course."
"Have you got the money?"
"No, but I'll get it."
"Oh, I say, I wish I could. P'r'aps I could too. I've got money--yes, I
have, even if it is in a beastly tin box. What's the good of saving till
you're grown up? I shan't want it then like I do now. It's silly. All
grown-up people are silly. When I'm grown up I'll be different. I say,
Robert, I can come with you, can't I?"
"Oh, yes--if you want to." He was indifferent. It puzzled him slightly
that Rufus should be so eager. What did he know of the true inwardness of
what he had seen? What had it got to do with him, anyway?
Rufus brooded, his freckled face puckered with anxious contriving.
"I say, I've got an idea! I'll tell the pater you've asked me to come
over and spend the evening with you at your place.
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