"We bear no ill-will against Theodosius, but in War" I began. "In War it is as it is in Love," said Pertinax. "Whether she be good or bad, one gives one's best once, to one only. That given, there remains no second worth giving or taking." "That is true," said Ambrosius. "I was with Maximus before he died. He warned Theodosius that you would never serve him, and frankly I say I am sorry for my Emperor.' "He has Rome to console him," said Pertinax. “I ask you of your kindness to let us go to our homes and get this smell out of our nostrils." 'None the less they gave us a Triumph!' 'It was well earned,' said Puck, throwing some leaves into the still water of the marlpit. The black, oily circles spread dizzily as the children watched them. 'I want to know, oh, ever so many things,' said Dan. 'What happened to old Allo? Did the Winged Hats ever come back? And what did Amal do?' 'And what happened to the fat old General with the five cooks?' said Una. 'And what did your Mother say when you came home?' 'She'd say you're settin' too long over this old pit, so late as 'tis already,' said old Hobden's voice behind them. 'Hst!' he whispered. He stood still, for not twenty paces away a magnificent dog-fox sat on his haunches and looked at the children as though he were an old friend of theirs. 'Oh, Mus' Reynolds, Mus' Reynolds!' said Hobden, under his breath. 'If I knowed all was inside your head, I'd know something wuth knowin'. Mus' Dan an' Miss Una, come along o' me while I lock up my liddle hen-house. A PICT SONG Rome never looks where she treads, On our stomachs, our hearts or our heads; And we gather behind them in hordes, And plot to reconquer the Wall, With only our tongues for our swords. We are the Little Folk-we! Too little to love or to hate. How we can drag down the Great! Mistletoe killing an oak Rats gnawing cables in twoMoths making holes in a cloakHow they must love what they do! Yes,-and we Little Folk too, We are as busy as they Working our works out of view Watch, and you'll see it some day! No indeed! We are not strong, We are the Little Folk, we! etc. |