Part 19 (1/2)
”That, of course, is possible,” said Twisk.
Zocco grumbled: ”If he wanted to be thought dead, he should have remained in place.”
”Quite so,” said Twisk. ”Now you may go your way. In the future try no more sly tricks upon my innocent young daughter.”
Zocco grumbled: ”She is young, but I doubt if she is all so innocent. Still, I will now bid you farewell.” Zocco seemed to fall backward off the stone and was gone.
”Zocco is not a bad sort, as wefkins go,” said Twisk. ”Now then, time presses. It has been a pleasure to meet you after so many years, but-”
”Wait!” cried Madouc. ”I still know nothing of my father, nor my pedigree!”
”I will give the matter thought. In the meantime-”
”Not yet, Mother dear! I need your help in a few other small ways!”
”If I must, I must,” said Twisk. ”What are your needs?”
”Pymfyd may be in bad case, sore and ill. Give me something to make him well.”
”That is simple enough.” Twisk plucked a laurel leaf, spat delicately into its center. She folded the leaf into a wad, touched it to her forehead, nose and chin, and gave it to Madouc. ”Rub this upon Pymfyd's wounds, for his quick good health. Is there anything else? If not-”
”There is something else! Should I use the Tinkle-toe upon Lady Desdea? She might jump so high as to cause an embarra.s.sment, or even to injure herself!”
”You have a kind heart,” said Twisk. ”As for the Tinkle-toe, you must learn to gauge both the finesse of your gesture and the thrust of your chin. With practice, you will control the vigor of her jump to exactly a proper alt.i.tude. What else?”
Madouc considered. ”I would like a wand to do transformations, a cap of invisibility, swift slippers to walk the air, a purse of boundless wealth, a talisman to compel the love of all, a mirror-”
”Stop!” cried Twisk. ”Your needs are excessive!”
”It does no harm to ask,” said Madouc. ”When will I see you again?”
”If necessary, come to Thripsey Shee.”
”How will I find this place?”
”Fare along Old Street to Little Saffield. Turn north up Timble Way, pa.s.s first through Tawn Timble, then Glymwode, which is hard by the forest. Take directions to Wamble Path, which leads into Thripsey Meadow. Arrive at noon, but never at night, for a variety of reasons. Stand at the edge of the meadow and softly speak my name three times, and I will come. If nuisances are committed upon you, cry out: 'Trouble me not, by fairy law!'”
Madouc made a hopeful suggestion: ”It might be more convenient if I called you with the gra.s.s flute.”
”More convenient for you perhaps; not necessarily for me.” Twisk stepped forward and kissed Madouc's forehead. She stood back smiling. ”I have been remiss, but that is my nature, and you must expect nothing better from me.”
Twisk was gone. Madouc, her forehead tingling, stood alone in the glade. She looked at the place where Twisk had stood, then turned away and also departed.
IV.
Madouc returned through the forest the way she had come. In the sheepfold she found Tyfer and Pymfyd's bay tethered to a post. She mounted Tyfer and rode down the lane toward Old Street, leading the bay. As she rode, she searched carefully to either side of the way, but Pymfyd was nowhere to be seen, neither alive nor dead. The circ.u.mstances caused Madouc both anxiety and puzzlement. If Pymfyd were alive, why had he lain so limp and still in the ditch? If Pymfyd were dead, why should he walk away?
Madouc, with wary glances to right and left, crossed Old Street into Fans.h.i.+p Way. She continued south, and presently arrived at Sarris. In a mournful mood she took the horses around to the stables, and at last the mystery in regard to Pymfyd's disappearance was clarified. Sitting disconsolately beside the dungheap was Pymfyd himself.