Then there was a happy, hungry silence, broken
only by those brief, impassioned suggestions natural to such an
occasion:
"More cake, please."
"Milk ahoy, there."
"Chuck us the goosegogs."
Everyone grew calmer more contented with their lot. A pleasant
feeling, half tiredness and half restfulness, crept to the extremities
of the party. Even the unfortunate Mabel was conscious of it in her
remote feet, that lay crossed under the third rhododendron to the
north-north-west of the tea-party. Gerald did but voice the feelings
of the others when he said, not without regret:
"Well, I'm a new man, but I couldn't eat so much as another
goosegog if you paid me."
"I could," said Mabel; "yes, I know they re all gone, and I've had
my share. But I could. It's me being so long, I suppose."
A delicious after-food peace filled the summer air. At a little
distance the green-lichened grey of the vast stone dinosaurus
showed through the shrubs. He, too, seemed peaceful and happy.
Gerald caught his stone eye through a gap in the foliage. His
glance seemed somehow sympathetic.
"I dare say he liked a good meal in his day," said Gerald, stretching
luxuriously.
"Who did?"
"The dino what s-his-name," said Gerald.
"He had a meal today," said Kathleen, and giggled.
"Yes didn't he?" said Mabel, giggling also.
"You mustn't laugh lower than your chest," said Kathleen
anxiously, "or your green stuff will joggle off.
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