Page:Dark Hester.djvu/159

‘But why,’ said Ingpen, after shaking hands with Robin, ‘if it’s a fountain, is there no water?’ His worn tweeds touched with leather went with the day; his cap was the colour of old thatch and cast a shadow, like thatch, over eyes bent on the basin but observant of Robin. ‘I want to see the water, don’t you?’ he said.

Robin answered, ‘Yes,’ and came to stand beside him, attentive to what might result from this potent presence.

‘I hadn’t thought of water till everything was finished and the fish installed,’ said Monica. ‘But I don’t see why it shouldn’t be turned on now. There must be a tap ready.’

‘Of course there must. Everything essential is ready as far as I can see. All that’s needed are the fountain and the fish. I remember the fish. Shall I go and fetch them, and find the tap on my way back? Your maid will show me,’ and Captain Ingpen, on whom nothing, apparently, was lost, turned his eyes on Miriam and cook watching at the window.

‘Shall we really put in the fish? Isn’t it rather cold for them?’ Monica asked, while Robin, between them, turned his gaze from one to the other.

‘Not at all too cold; and by the time winter