Molly agreed readily. Remembering that it was rumoured that the wood was full of the Pumpkin's spies, the children had great hopes that it was the Black Leaf in Mr Papingay's plant-pot; for the spies would surely be stationed all around the place where the Black Leaf grew, to guard it.
"Thank goodness we know we can trust Mr Papingay," said Molly. "If we can only find him. Oh, Jack, if only it is the Leaf, won't it be splendid!" Molly broke off and glanced over her shoulder. "How awfully quiet everything is, Jack--just as if the wood were _listening_!... Oh! What was that!"
"It wasn't anything. Don't, Molly. You gave me quite a jump," Jack said unsteadily, looking over his shoulder too. The light in the wood was beginning to fade, and under the distant trees dim shadows gathered.
"I thought I heard some twigs crackling--a snapping sound," said Molly, wide-eyed.
"Well, you needn't say so, Moll, if you did. But anyway, I'm not afraid--if you are." Nevertheless Jack quickened his pace to a sharp trot, and Molly had some difficulty in keeping up with him.
"Nor am I," repeated Jack, and went a little faster.
"Of course--we ought--to--get there--as quick--as--we can--so--as not to--waste--any--time," Molly jerked out, apologizing as it were to herself and to Jack for their sudden haste.
They ran along the footpath for a short distance until, a little way ahead of them, they saw an open space in the wood, in the centre of which stood a house.
"Let's--stop--Molly," said Jack, breathlessly. They both pulled up and stood still for a few moments. "It wouldn't--do--for--us--to run in--on--on--him like this. It might look as if--as if we were--as if----oh, well, it would look funny, you know."
Molly agreed. So they waited until they had got their breath again, then they walked casually out into the open space. The trees stood round the clearing in a wide circle, and above the house was a big expanse of sky. It seemed quite light out here after the dim light of the wood.
It was a queer-looking house that faced them, but what it was about the house that made it queer Jack and Molly could not at first make out. Around it was a square of asphalt, and drawing nearer they saw that on the asphalt, all round the four sides, were rows of narrow white streaks, that looked like railings lying down flat; and this is what they actually proved to be--only they were not real railings, they were painted on the ground with white paint. The children looked up, and then they realized what it was that made the house look funny. Nearly everything on it and about it was _not real_ but painted. The house itself was real, and so was the front door; but the knocker and handle and letter-box were all painted on. Three of the windows seemed real, but there were three more that were obviously painted on, and were obviously the work of some one not greatly skilled in the art of painting. There was a large tree painted on the asphalt, and a row of tulips, and a path bordered by painted stones that led up to the front door.