* * * * *
"Now," said Sweetheart, nodding particular
approval, "that is the way a story ought to end
up--everything going on from chapter to chapter,
with no roundabouts, and everything told about
everybody right to the very end!"
"Hum," said Hugh John, with a curl of his nose;
"well, that's done with! But it was good about the
Storm and the Duel! The rest was--"
"Hush," said Sweetheart, "remember, it was written
by Sir Walter."
"Sir," said I to Hugh John, heavily parental,
"_The Antiquary_ may not now be much to your
taste, but the day will come when you may probably
prefer it to all the rest put together."
At these words the young man assumed the expression
common to boys who are bound to receive the
wholesome advice of their elders, yet who do so
with silent but respectful doubt, if not with
actual disbelief.
"Well," he said, after a long pause, "anyway, the
Duel _was_ good. And I'd jolly well like to find a
treasure in Misticot's grave. Can we have another
snow fight?"
THE END OF THE FIRST SERIES OF RED CAP TALES FROM THE TREASURE-CHEST OF
THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH.