By this time they came to a flat roof, on to which they descended by a few steps.

Here stood two rough sheds, with nothing in them.
"There's stowage!" said the old man.
"Yes, indeed!" answered Donal, to whom the idea of his aerie was growing more and more agreeable.

"But would there be no objection to my using the place for such a purpose ?" "What objection ?" returned his guide.

"I doubt if a single person but myself knows it." "And shall I be allowed to carry up as much as I please ?" "I allow you," said the butler, with importance.

"Of course you will not waste--I am dead against waste! But as to what is needful, use your freedom .-- Dinner will be ready for you in the schoolroom at seven." At the door of his room the old man left him, and after listening for a moment to his descending steps, Donal re-entered his chamber.
Why they put him so apart, Donal never asked himself; that he should have such command of his leisure as this isolation promised him was a consequence very satisfactory.