But no! Even in this Fate was against him. THE RIVER WAS FROZEN
OVER! He turned away with a curse....
What happened afterwards Robert never quite understood. Almost
unconsciously he must have crossed one of the numerous bridges which
span the river and join North London to South. Once on the other
side, he seems to have set his face steadily before him, and to have
dragged his weary limbs on and on, regardless of time and place. He
walked like one in a dream, his mind drugged by the dull narcotic of
physical pain. Suddenly he realized that he had left London behind
him, and was in the more open spaces of the country. The houses were
more scattered; the recurring villa of the clerk had given place to
the isolated mansion of the stock broker. Each residence stood in
its own splendid grounds, surrounded by fine old forest trees and
approached by a long carriage sweep. Electric--
[EDITOR Quite so. The whole forming a magnificent estate for a
retired gentleman. Never mind that.]
Robert stood at the entrance to one of these houses, and the iron
entered into his soul. How different was this man's position from
his own! What right had this man--a perfect stranger--to be happy
and contented in the heart of his family, while he, Robert, stood, a
homeless wanderer, alone in the cold?
Almost unconsciously he wandered down the drive, hardly realizing
what he was doing until he was brought up by the gay lights of the
windows. Still without thinking, he stooped down and peered into the
brilliantly lit room above him. Within all was jollity; beautiful
women moved to and fro, and the happy laughter of children came to
him. "Elsie," he heard someone call, and a childish treble re
sponded.
[EDITOR. Now for the robin.
AUTHOR. I am very sorry. I have just remembered something rather
sad. The fact is that, two days before, Elsie had forgotten to feed
the robin, and in consequence it had died before this story opens.
EDITOR. That is really very awkward. I have already arranged with an
artist to do some pictures, AND _I_ REMEMBER _I_ PARTICULARLY
ORDERED A ROBIN AND A WASSAIL. WHAT ABOUT THE WASSAIL?