Algernon Blackwood

“ Father dreaming of stars and insects, crumpled up across the mattress, his mouth wide open probably; mother, delicate as a bit of old perfumed lace, her placid mind not even dreaming, hands folded, the big four-poster protecting her; while, far away in another wing of the building, Peter and Rose.⁠ ⁠... It took place when the moon was over the three-quarters, and in conjunction, as they knew, with mighty-ringed old Saturn, who had tilted his huge circular attendants so that their planes were visible in the telescope. ”

“ Ivy and wild roses twined across her neck and forehead, and a knife, with a sheath of silver, swung from her belt by means of a leather thong. She was a picture for the moon, even for great Saturn, to admire.
Peter gave her a rapid examination from head to foot. “Perfect!” he exclaimed. With dignity he drew the knife out of its sheath and placed it in her hand. “Take this, Rose Maiden,” he said gravely, “and follow me. The others await us yonder!”
The reference to “others” seemed wholly credible to her then, nor did it alarm her, for the emotion of awe ate up all lesser dreads. ”

“ Rose mentioned the flying shape she had seen on the wall, and the figures crouching beneath the fruit-nets.
“Bosh!” declared Peter with conviction. “Moon’s playing tricks. She always does. Thing on the wall that scared you was a cat. Here, give us a hand, will you? Sharp about it!”
She disentangled the lantern and frying-pan handle, which had caught between the bars of the swinging-gate, and the sound of clanking metal that had startled her was not repeated. It was a relief, and yet a disappointment, to know it was not great Saturn “doing something.” ”

“ He advanced towards her with a curious swinging dignity that impressed her immensely, so that for a thrilling instant she wondered if it were not colossal Saturn swaying down out of icy space into the little earthly Spinney. Saturn, at any rate, seemed nearer, although the voice she now heard was undoubtedly her brother’s:
“You now, Rose Maiden!” he announced in solemn tones. He held out a bundle. “Quick! And, remember, to the skin!” ”

“ Night always sets ears pricking, and all the world, apparently, does not go to sleep at the same time. A dog barked plaintively in the distance. It kept on barking.
“Pete!” exclaimed Rose, “we’ve been heard!”
Her brother turned his head a moment, listening intently. He formed a quick, decided judgment, as a born leader should:
“At the moon,” he announced in a final tone. “Another trick of old Silversides. Saturn’s at her, too, remember.”
The dog continued barking at intervals, trying, Rose knew, to wake the whole countryside, yet she felt comforted; Peter was right; Peter always knew. ”

“ The same instant he withdrew his face, the rings faded away; he smiled and held his hand out.
“These are your things,” he whispered, giving her an untidy bundle. “Climb up. I’ll hold the ladder steady for you. Farewell Rose Maiden. We shall meet again ere long!”—
He kissed her, and she climbed up safely without another word, carrying her clothes and the frying-pan in front of her. The iron handle banged noisily once against the stone parapet at the top, but no one came, no door or window opened. Parents, servants, governess, all lay heavily asleep. ”

“ He put his headdress straight and seated himself on a stump beside the crackling fire. The flames lit up his face. She saw his brilliant eyes. “I’m hungry too,” she mentioned, though this was not the chief matter in her mind. A deep delight still pulsed and glowed all through her. She held the frying-pan cleverly above the flames. Peter took the knife and speared the slices, turning them over and over. The kettle sang. What little wind there was had died away, and the night was very still about them.
“Put in the eggs,” he said presently. “We’ll eat them hard. You were splendid, Rose.” ”

“ Once, a big bird, wakened out of sleep, made a violent commotion overhead as it flapped heavily away through the dense branches. It remained invisible, they only heard it. But nothing obstructed them, and at last they reached a spot where the moonlight pierced the tangle and made a little breathing space about them. ”

“ As Rose she adored her brother; as Rose Maiden she worshipped him. Peter was especially marvellous as leader of an adventure. She would have followed him to the stars.
The stars often came into these adventures, because their father went in for astronomy as well as insects. By day he collected beetles and studied wasps and spiders, being a naturalist; but at night, when the sun was gone, he spent hours with his big telescope, staring at the stars. The children were sometimes allowed a peep down the mighty tube. They had seen the silvery moon with her seas and mountains ”

“ This was only a few days before the adventure Peter called the Water Performance, took place; and Saturn had seemed to them so wonderful that he was mixed up strangely with the adventure that followed. Saturn influenced the earth in some odd way, their father told them. “Besides,” he mentioned in rather a grave voice, “he is just now in conjunction with the moon, and so he is extra powerful, you see.” ”

“ They struggled to get out, these other words, but failed halfway up her throat. She took what came:
“All right, Peter,” she called out⁠—and stooped to find the matches.⁠ ⁠... Five minutes later, when he emerged with an extinguished lantern from the undergrowth behind her, a fire was already blazing at their feet, a kettle of water stood waiting for the eggs, and a frying-pan, with blobs of melting butter in it, was prepared to receive the slices of cold suet pudding.
“The hunger has come,” announced Peter, quietly. “We may eat. It was a success. You, too. I saw you dancing. ”