amazing appetite and the table near his sofa was set with a breakfast
of home-made bread and fresh butter, snow-white eggs, raspberry jam and
clotted cream. Mary always breakfasted with him and when they found
themselves at the table particularly if there were delicate slices of
sizzling ham sending forth tempting odors from under a hot silver
cover they would look into each other s eyes in desperation.
I think we shall have to eat it all this morning, Mary, Colin always
ended by saying. We can send away some of the lunch and a great deal
of the dinner.
But they never found they could send away anything and the highly
polished condition of the empty plates returned to the pantry awakened
much comment.
I do wish, Colin would say also, I do wish the slices of ham were
thicker, and one muffin each is not enough for anyone.
It s enough for a person who is going to die, answered Mary when
first she heard this, but it s not enough for a person who is going to
live. I sometimes feel as if I could eat three when those nice fresh
heather and gorse smells from the moor come pouring in at the open
window.
The morning that Dickon after they had been enjoying themselves in the
garden for about two hours went behind a big rosebush and brought forth
two tin pails and revealed that one was full of rich new milk with
cream on the top of it, and that the other held cottage-made currant
buns folded in a clean blue and white napkin, buns so carefully tucked
in that they were still hot, there was a riot of surprised joyfulness.
What a wonderful thing for Mrs. Sowerby to think of! What a kind,
clever woman she must be! How good the buns were! And what delicious
fresh milk!
Magic is in her just as it is in Dickon, said Colin. It makes her
think of ways to do things nice things. She is a Magic person. Tell her
we are grateful, Dickon extremely grateful.
He was given to using rather grown-up phrases at times. He enjoyed
them. He liked this so much that he improved upon it.
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