Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/44

Robert smiled a little to himself. ‘It’s real good,’ he said. ‘And couldn’t they fight! That Black Prince was a good piece. I’ll lend it you by and by.’

‘Oh, it’s history!’ exclaimed Lena, curling her lip disdainfully. ‘Of course I’ve learned that, but it wasn’t Green’s. I know all the kings and queens by heart and all the dates.’

It had never occurred to Robert that there might be more than one history of England, and the possibilities opened up by Lena’s concluding words brought him rapidly to his bearings. Still he let himself down as gracefully as possible. ‘It’s good reading of an evening,’ he said lightly. ‘That Henry VIII was a fair terror,’ he added.

‘He was Defender of the Faith,’ said Lena.

Robert looked thoughtful. ‘I suppose he was in a way,’ he admitted; then he made a dart for firmer ground, ‘but he had a terrible lot of wives.’

Lena had nothing to say to this, and Robert, feeling that he had scored a point, wisely changed the subject.

‘Geoff’s got a rare lot of books, Lena,’ he said, following her to the fence. ‘When you want something to read, you come to me and I’ll find you a stunner.’

Lena made no reply, but when the slip-rail was reached she looked quickly at her companion. ‘Thank you for these,’ she said, indicating the articles she was carrying; ‘but I have a good mind to give you the soap back.’

Robert could make nothing of this remark until considerably later in the day, and by that time Mrs. Andersen’s washing was probably on the line.