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"You're joking," gasped Sebastian, and then blushed bright crimson.
"I'm not, you know."
"Good grief," said Sebastian; and then, groping for some, thing more expressive, "Son of a gunV
"Aren't you pleased?" Rosa pouted playfully. "I did it for you.
"But we aren't even married."
"That can be arranged."
"And quickly, too," agreed Sebastian. He grabbed her wrist. "Come on!"
"Sebastian, remember my condition."
"Good grief, I'm sorry."
He took her back to Lalapanzi, handing her over the rough ground with as much care as though she was a case of sweating gelignite.
"What's the big hurry?" asked Fly
"No, you don't," said Rosa. "We are going to see the priest at Beira."
"It Would only take Bassie a couple of weeks. Then we could talk about it when he gets back."
"We are going to Beira tomorrow!"
"What's the rush?" Fly
"Well, the truth is, Fly
"The truth is I'm going to have a baby," Rosa finished for him.
"You're what?" Fly
"You said that you wanted to see your grandchild," Rosa pointed out.
"But I didn't mean you to start work on it right away,"
roared Fly
"Father, your heard" Rosa restrained him. "Anyway, don't pick on Sebastian, I did my share as well."
"You shameless... You brazen little -."
Rosa reached behind the seat cushion where Fly
They left for Beira the following morning. Rosa was carried in a maschille with Sebastian trotting beside it in anxious attendance, ready to help ease the litter over the fords and rough places, and to curse any of the bearers who stumbled.
When they left Lalapanzi, Fly
But both Rosa and Sebastian ignored him, and when they camped that night the two of them sat across the camp-fire from him, and whispered and laughed secretly together. They pitched their voices at such a tantalizing level that even by straining his ears, Fly
Rosa said that she would give anything to see him try it again. In her opinion it would be better than a visit to the circus. And Fly
During the dark hours before dawn they were visited by an old lion. He came with a rush from the darkness beyond the fire-light, grunting like an angry boar, the great black bush of his mane erect, snaking with incredible speed towards the huddle of blanket-wrapped figures about the fire.
Fly
When the lion charged into the camp, Fly
Sebastian awoke to lion noises, and gun-fire, and the violent collision of a big body into his, and red-hot coals sticking to various parts of his anatomy. With a single bound, and a wild cry, he threw off his blanket, came to his feet, and went into such a lively song and dance routine, yodelling and high-kicking, and striking out at his imaginary assailants that Fly
The laughter, and the praise and thanks showered on him by Sebastian, Rosa, and the bearers, cleared the air.
"You saved my life, "said Sebastian soulfully.
"Oh Daddy, you're wonderful," said Rosa. "Thank you.
Thank you," and she hugged him.
The mantle of the hero felt snug and comfortable on Fly
The last night they camped a mile from the outskirts of the town, and after a private conference with Fly