"
"And, do you know, I think that is the very reason why I - good
gracious! - what is that?" She pointed toward the shadow of the
hedge.
"Merely the Imp," I answered; "but never mind that - tell me what
you were going to say - 'the very reason why you' - what?"
"Reginald!" said Lisbeth, unheeding my question, "come here, sir!"
Very sheepishly the Imp crept forth from the ditch, and coming up
beside me, stole his hand into mine, and I put it in my pocket.
"Reginald?" she repeated, looking from one to the other of us with
that expression which always renews within me the memory of my
boyish misdeeds, "why are you not asleep in bed?"
"'Cause I had to go an' feed my outlaw, Auntie Lisbeth."
"And," I put in to create a diversion, "incidentally I've discovered
the secret of his 'enormous appetite.' It is explained in three
words, to wit, 'the bye Jarge."
"Do you mean to say - " began Lisbeth.
"Fed him regularly twice a day," I went on, "and nearly famished
himself in the doing of it - you remember the dry-bread incident?"
"Imp!" cried Lisbeth; "Imp!" And she had him next moment in her
arms.
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