Page:Dark Hester.djvu/156

‘The fishes? Well I never thought of naming them. Can you think of any good names?’

‘I’d like you to think,’ said Robin.

‘Shall we call them Milly, Tilly, and Lacey, then?’ Robin had loved reading ‘Alice.’ ‘Alice,’ she trusted, would not be forbidden, though what the psychological difference between the White Knight and Saint George might be she did not know.

‘Milly, Tilly, and Lacey—who were in the well. Yes,’ said Robin whose pleasure was always gentle. He gazed thoughtfully down into the empty basin. ‘And we’ll give them ants’ eggs instead of treacle.—Can’t we put in some of the plants now, Grannie?’

He had on a little dark blue hat and coat; the shade was not quite right; it was in a softer, more Japanese blue that she had dressed Clive at the same age. Still, in any colour he looked adorable. He stood beside her holding her hand.

‘Certainly we can put in a few. There they are, in the pots. I’ll get a trowel and fork, and wouldn’t you like to cut some flowers for your room, Nurse, while we work? The Michaelmas daisies and chrysanthemums are still lovely.’

It was like being back in Clive’s childhood again;