Page 102 (1/2)

'Content; nothing could be pleasanter than to sit here,' and he

pulled out his pipe; 'but really, Miss Madge, to leave Norbury

without paying a visit to the oak is a pity'

He did not offer, however, to accompany her

'It is the most extraordinary tree in these parts,' said Baruch; 'of

incalculable age and with branches spreading into a tent big enough

to cover a regiht'

'Where is it?'

'Not above a couple of hundred yards further; just round the corner' Madge rose and looked

'No; it is not visible here; it stands a little way back If you

colimpse of it'

She followed him and presently the oak came in view They climbed up

the bank and went nearer to it The whole vale was underneath them

and part of the weald with the Sussex downs blue in the distance

Baruch was not iven to raptures over scenery, but the

indifference of Nature to the world's turmoil always appealed to him

'You are not now discontented because you cannot serve under

Mazzini?'