'She's really a duck,' he thought.
They returned to the house less talkative, followed this time by the dog Balthasar, walking more slowly than anything on earth, and clearly expecting them not to exceed his speed limit.
"This is a ripping place," said Val from under the oak tree, where they had paused to allow the dog Balthasar to come up.
"Yes," said Holly, and sighed.

"Of course I want to go everywhere.

I wish I were a gipsy." "Yes, gipsies are jolly," replied Val, with a conviction which had just come to him; "you're rather like one, you know." Holly's face shone suddenly and deeply, like dark leaves gilded by the sun.
"To go mad-rabbiting everywhere and see everything, and live in the open--oh! wouldn't it be fun ?" "Let's do it!" said Val.
"Oh yes, let's!" "It'd be grand sport, just you and I." Then Holly perceived the quaintness and gushed.
"Well, we've got to do it," said Val obstinately, but reddening too.
"I believe in doing things you want to do.

What's down there ?" "The kitchen-garden, and the pond and the coppice, and the farm." "Let's go down!" Holly glanced back at the house.
"It's tea-time, I expect; there's Dad beckoning." Val, uttering a growly sound, followed her towards the house.
When they re-entered the hall gallery the sight of two middle-aged Forsytes drinking tea together had its magical effect, and they became quite silent.

It was, indeed, an impressive spectacle.