“I thought you might find this place frightening,” she answered, as she perched on a fallen tree to rest, and placed the squirming Gwillam down at her feet.
“Here?” said Poppy, squatting down beside her brother and handing him his rabbit. “Why ever for? I have been here lots of times.”
Katkin stared at her, profoundly shocked. “You have been here before? To the Vastness?”
Poppy nodded proudly. “The nice lady, who is Patre Huw’s sister, brought me here.” Then her expression changed back to one of tearful concern. “Is Patre all right? The mean man and that wrinkly hag were going to kill him. They didn’t do it, did they? I tried to stop them and so did Patre’s friend.”
Katkin gathered the girl up into a reassuring hug. “Don’t worry Poppy; your Patre is all right. You were a very brave lit
