Читать книгу The Complete Works of Algernon Blackwood. Novels, Short Stories, Horror Classics, Occult & Supernatural Tales, Plays онлайн

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'How do you do, Uncle Paul,' she said; 'we are very glad you have come—at last.'

The blood ran ridiculously to his head. He found his tongue, and pulled himself sharply together.

'So am I, dear. Of course, it's a long way to come—America.' He stooped and bestowed the necessary kisses upon the others, who had followed their leader and now stood close beside him, staring like little owls in a row.

'I know,' she replied gravely. 'It takes weeks, doesn't it? And mother has told us such a lot about you. We've been waiting a very long time, I think,' she added as though stating a grievance.

'I suppose it is rather a long time to wait,' he said sheepishly. He stroked his beard and waited.

'All of us,' she went on. She included the others in this last observation by bending her head at them, and into her uncle's memory leaped the vision of a slender silver birch-tree that grew on the edge of the Big Beaver Pond near the Canadian border. She moved just as that silver birch moved when the breeze caught it.