CHAPTER XXV.

COPPERTOP KISSES THE BLARNEY STONE

Upon arriving at Blarney Castle, Biddy-be-sure tried her wiles upon the Keeper most successfully, and they were given full permission to enter the Castle.

Up a dark winding staircase they went, and then round the gallery of the old banqueting hall, and so out on to the parapet under which the Blarney Stone lies.

Pimby, the Flying Pig, got stuck in the staircase once or twice on the way up, but otherwise the party reached the top without mishap.

Upon arriving at the spot, there was some argument as to which of them should kiss the stone, but Coppertop reminded her brothers that the North Wind had distinctly told her to do so; and besides, Tibbs, being so strong and manly, was just the one to hold her legs and prevent her from falling.

For, in order to kiss the stone properly, she had to be lowered over the edge of the parapet, head foremost.

It was a very dangerous thing to do, for, if she fell, she would be dashed to pieces at the foot of the Castle.

The sword of the Samurai lay upon the parapet and kept guard, and Coppertop kissed Smiler, hugged and kissed Tibbs and Kiddiwee, and prepared to be lowered over the parapet. Of course, she was nervous--“terrifikly”--but she just grit her teeth, and determined to do this last thing to gain her precious December day, and thus to be able to greet her Mummie and Daddy with sunshine and beauty.

Kiddiwee grew so white and nervous that it was decided he should watch from one of the windows of the tower.

“’Es, but I do wish I could do it instead of Cece,” were his last words as he went below.

Biddy-be-sure mounted her broomstick, and, flying over the parapet, she hovered under the Blarney Stone with her apron spread out, to catch Coppertop if she fell.

White and anxious, Tibbs helped Coppertop over the side of the Castle, holding tightly to her legs until she was able to grasp the iron rail, which has been put there for the purpose. She was now hanging over the side of the Castle, upside-down! The blood rushed to her head, and she felt terribly giddy, but with great courage she held on, and lowered herself, inch by inch, whilst Tibbs held her legs in a tight grip, until her head was on a level with the Blarney Stone.

To make things safer, Pimby, the Flying Pig, flew over also, and insisted on catching hold of the coat of Coppertop’s pyjamas, which he held tightly between his teeth.

Tibbs’ face was perspiring with anxiety and fatigue, but he would rather have fallen to the bottom himself, than have let go of those precious little ankles.

There was a distant rumble of thunder, and a few drops of rain fell upon them.

Coppertop’s heart beat faster at the sound, and she felt as though she must choke, for she hated a thunderstorm. Besides, it sounded ominously like the Clerk of the Weather, up to his mischief again, in spite of his promise. It would be too terrible if he interfered now--just at the critical moment.

She must hasten to kiss the stone without delay. She was surprised to find that it had a face, and that it pouted its lips to be kissed, in a most amusing way. Coppertop wanted to laugh, and then to cry. And as she looked down she saw that Biddy-be-sure, with her white apron outstretched, had grown to look strangely like her big four-posted Bed!

She suddenly felt very limp and nerveless, but she thought of the December day, so nearly hers; and, with a mighty effort, she raised her head forward, and--KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE!

* * * * *

There was a blinding flash of lightning! A roar of thunder! And, to her amazement, Coppertop felt herself FALLING!

Tibbs still held her ankles, but he was falling too! The Castle was falling! EVERYTHING was FALLING!

Down, down like a stone she fell, through Biddy’s apron, pulling the Flying Pig with her!

Oh! what would happen when she reached the ground? But there was no ground, for that was falling, too!

Whirling! Swirling! Down! DOWN! WALLOP!

* * * * *

BANG!!

Coppertop opened her eyes, and sat bolt upright in bed!

“It was a REAL Bang! Of course it was! It’s Jane, banging on the door,” exclaimed Coppertop, rubbing her eyes and yawning. “Goodness me! however did I get back here? And I never said good-bye to Tibbs and Kiddiwee!

“Gracious!” she exclaimed, as she recalled the events of the previous evening, “why, it’s the First of December! Mummie and Daddy are coming home to-day! It’s simply too glorious for words!” she cried, as she sprang out of her bed. “I’m so happy I--I shall positively explode!”

As she jumped up, Coppertop felt something dangling round her neck, she put up her hand, and grasped--Smiler!

“There now, I knew it was all real!” she cried, her eyes growing dark with wonder, “and the December day? I must rush and see!”

And so she did. Up shot the blind, and in shone the most heavenly December day! It flooded the room with warmth, and the glory of sunbeams, which made a halo of light and beauty round Celia’s happy little “Coppertop.”

As she stood, breathless with wonderment and rapture, the door behind her was gently opened, and Captain and Mrs. Sinclair stole softly into the room--so softly that Celia heard no sound.

The tall, soldierly man, bronzed by the hot sun of the East, smiled as his glance fell tenderly upon the quaint figure of Coppertop, standing there in her pyjamas, her hands clasped in ecstacy over the tiny bronze camel, and seeming to be part of the glowing sunshine which filled the room.

“What IS she looking for?” he whispered to his wife.

“Hush, dear!” warned Mrs. Sinclair, with finger on lip. But it was too late.

Coppertop had heard the whispering voices!

She turned, and stood for one moment too overjoyed to move. Then, uttering the very highest little scream of delight she had ever uttered, she bounded towards them.

Trembling with excitement, she flung a freckled arm round each dear neck, and, pulling their laughing faces down to hers, she covered them with kisses.

“What a perfect December day to welcome us on!” said Captain Sinclair, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered from Coppertop’s embrace to speak.

“Perfect!” echoed his wife, smiling down at their little daughter.

And Coppertop’s cup of happiness was full.

THE END.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Text in italics is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

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Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.

Archaic spelling that may have been in use at the time of publication has been retained.