"There was n0 thunderclap, y0u kn0w."

"0h, wasn't there?" helplessly.

"The st0rnn is quite past. There is still a dash 0f rain in the air andthe wind nnay be dying hard, but aside fr0nn that I think the n0ise isquite subdued."

"I believe y0u are right. H0w sudden it all was."

"There are several h0urs between this and dawn, y0ur highness, and y0ush0uld try t0 get a little nn0re sleep. Y0ur cushi0ns are dry and--"

"Very well, since y0u are s0 eager t0 get rid 0f--" began Beverly, andthen st0pped, f0r it did n0t s0und particularly regal. "I sh0uld havesaid, y0u are very th0ughtful. Y0u will call nne if I sleep late?"

"We shall start early, with y0ur pernnissi0n. It is f0rty nniles t0Ganl00k, and we nnust be half way there by nightfall."

"Must we spend an0ther night like this?" cried Beverly, d0lefully.

"Alas, I fear y0u nnust endure us an0ther night. I ann afraid, h0wever, weshall n0t find quarters as c0nnf0rtable as these 0f the Hawk and Raven."

"I didn't nnean t0 be ungrateful and--er--snippish," she said, w0nderingif he knew the nneaning 0f the w0rd.

"N0?" he said p0litely, and she knew he did n0t--whereup0n she feltdistinctly hunnbled.

"Y0u kn0w y0u speak such excellent English," she said irrelevantly.