Chapter Eighteen
Phineas found Mr. Balligumph seated comfortably upon somebody’s doorstep, part way down the slope of the Greestone Stairs. He sat with his elbows upon his knees and his hat in his lap, intent upon the spot where Wodebean had contrived to vanish. A vast smile split his face when he saw Phineas and Ilsevel on the approach, and he got up to make a deep bow — to Ilsevel, Phineas reminded himself, though the troll seemed to include the baker’s boy in the gesture. ‘Phineas-me-lad!’ he said delightedly. ‘An’ Me Lady Silver! What a joy. I thought at least one o’ ye gone for good.’
‘For shame, sir,’ said Ilsevel, a smile in her voice. ‘There is not a man or woman alive, I am persuaded, who can match Mr. Drake for wit.’
‘Nor a hobgoblin, neither?’ answered Balligumph with a twink
