It was a very useful book, because it gave them a constant and safe topic of conversation.

Many chapters were read and re-read--many passages written and re-written for Mary's hearing and criticism,--and it may at once be said that what had at first been merely clever, brilliant, and intellectual writing, was now becoming not so much a book as an artistic creation, through which the blood and colour of human life pulsed and flowed, giving it force and vitality.

Sometimes they persuaded Helmsley to accompany them on some of their shorter rambles,--but he was not strong enough to walk far, and he often left them half-way up the "coombe," returning to the cottage alone.

Mary had frequently expressed a great wish to take him to a favourite haunt of hers, which she called the "Giant's Castle"-- but he was unable to make the steep ascent--so on one fine afternoon she took Angus there instead.

"The Giant's Castle" had no recognised name among the Weircombe villagers save this one which Mary had bestowed upon it, and which the children repeated after her so often that it seemed highly probable that the title would stick to it for ever.