Out of Harm's Way 311
feeling grew that we had somehow strayed into an
enchanted country. At the same time the country
was enchanting.
Dionysus was all on fire to get us up to the Abbey,
and tugged at our arms. |
““ Now Di,” said Hermes, “ you know it’s wrong to
pull at people like that. It’s one of the rules,” he
explained to Lou, “ not to interfere with people.
Big Lion says that every one would get on all right if
only he were left alone.”
He seemed to think the statement required explana-
tion.
‘“‘ Cypris is reading Gibbon to us this week ; and she
shows us how all the trouble came from people meddling
with other people’s business.”
I shouted with laughter. “Gibbon?” I cried,
“What next, I wonder? ”
“Well, one must know Roman history,” explained
Hermes, in the tone of a head master addressing an
educational conference.
“And what did you read last week?” said Lou,
though she was rocking with laughter as much as I
was.
“ Shelley was being read to us,” he corrected. ‘“‘ We
don’t read ourselves.”
“The Tenth don’t dance,’”’ I quoted.
“Don’t be an ass, Cockie,” said Lou.
“Well, Hermes, but why don’t you read? ”
“The Big Lion doesn’t want us to learn,” he said.
“We have to learn to use our eyes, and reading spoils
them.”
“ But why?” asked Lou, in surprise. “I don’t
understand. I ‘thought reading was the best way to
get knowledge.”
Dionysus put his foot down.
Enough of Betause, be he damned for a dod.”
It wasn’t physical fatigue this time. These amazing
children had made us forget all physical sensation.
But when one is walking up-hill it is impossible to
D.D.F. X