WET MAGIC (Illustrated Edition). Эдит Несбит

must,” said Francis, “it would be so sneakish not to. But they won’t believe us. We shall have to be like Cassandra and not mind.”

      “I only wish I knew who it is we’ve got to save,” said Mavis.

      Francis had a very strong and perfect feeling that they would know this all in good time. He could not have explained this, but he felt it. All he said was, “Let’s run.”

      And they ran.

      Kathleen and Bernard met them at the gate, dancing with excitement and impatience.

      “Where have you been?” they cried and “What on earth?” and “Why, you’re all wet, France.”

      “Down to the sea—shut up, I know I am—” their elder brother came in and passed up the path to the gate.

      “You might have called us,” said Kathleen in a more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger sort of voice, “but anyhow you’ve lost something by going out so early without us.”

      “Lost something. What?”

      “Hearing the great news,” said Bernard, and he added, “Aha!”

      “What news?”

      “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Bernard was naturally annoyed at having been left out of the first expedition of the holidays. Anyone would have. Even you or I.

      “Out with it,” said Francis, with a hand on Bernard’s ear. There came a yell from Bernard and Mother’s voice from the window, saying, “Children, children.”

      “All right, Mummy. Now, Bear—don’t be a young rotter. What’s the news?”

      “You’re hurting my ear,” was all Bernard’s rejoinder.

      “All right,” said Francis, “we’ve got some news too. But we won’t tell, will we, Mavis?”

      “Oh don’t,” said Kathleen, “don’t let’s be sneaky, the very first day too. It’s only that they’ve caught the Mermaid, and I’m afraid she’ll die in captivity, like you said. What’s yours?”

      Francis had released Bernard’s ear and now he turned to Mavis.

      “So that’s it,” he said slowly—“who’s got her?”

      “The circus people. What’s your news?” asked Kathleen eagerly.

      “After brek,” said Francis. “Yes, Mother, half a sec! I apologize about the ear, Bernard. We will tell you all. Oh, it’s quite different from what you think. We meet and discuss the situation in the mill the minute we’re free from brek. Agreed? Right! Yes, Mother, coming!”

      “Then there must,” Mavis whispered to Francis, “be two Mermaids. They can’t both be Sabrina ... then which...?”

      “We’ve got to save one of them anyhow,” Francis answered with the light of big adventure in his eye, “they die in captivity.”