Pagina 217 van 896

"Can't be helped," said Miss Pross, shaking her head. "Touch that

string, and he instantly changes for the worse. Better leave it

alone. In short, must leave it alone, like or no like. Sometimes,

he gets up in the dead of the night, and will be heard, by us

overhead there, walking up and down, walking up and down, in his

room. Ladybird has learnt to know then that his mind is walking

up and down, walking up and down, in his old prison. She hurries

to him, and they go on together, walking up and down, walking up

and down, until he is composed. But he never says a word of the

true reason of his restlessness, to her, and she finds it best

not to hint at it to him. In silence they go walking up and down

together, walking up and down together, till her love and company

have brought him to himself."