The cake stood like a magnificent Alp upon the kitchen table. To the odors of morning were added the smells of snow upon a white mountain, the aroma of frosted blossoms and candied roses, of petal pink candles and translucent icing. There it was, like a distant hill in a dream of the future, the cake as white as noon clouds, the cake in the shape of collected years, each candle ready for the lighting and blowing out.

‘That,’ he whispered, ‘oh, my God, that will do it! Take it down to the ravine. Get.’

The housekeeper and the gardener picked up the white mountain. The cook led the way, opening the door.

They carried it out the door and down the porch and across the garden.

Who could resist a sweet thing like that, a dream? thought Quartermain.

‘Watch it!’

The housekeeper slipped on the dew–wet grass.

Quartermain shut his eyes.

‘No, God, no!’

When he opened his eyes again, the servants were still marching steadily, perspiring, down the hill, into the green ravine, toward the clear waters, under the high cool shadowy trees, toward the birthday table.

‘Thank you,’ murmured Quartermain, and added, ‘God.’

Below, in the ravine, the cake was set upon the table, and it was white and it glowed and it was perfect.

Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

‘There,’ said Mother, fixing his tie.

‘Who cares about a darn girl’s birthday party?’ said Douglas. ‘It sounds awful.’

‘If Quartermain can go to all the trouble to have a cake made for Lisabell, you can take an hour and go. Especially since he sent invitations. Be polite is all I ask.’

‘Come on, Doug, aw come on!’ cried Tom, from the front porch.

‘Hold your horses! Here I go.’

And the screen door slammed and he was in the street and he and Tom were walking in the fresh day.

‘Boy,’ whispered Tom, smiling, ‘I’m gonna eat till I get sick.’

‘There’s a deep and dire plot in here somewhere,’ said Douglas. ‘How come all of a sudden Quartermain isn’t making a commotion? How come, just like that, he’s all smiles?’

‘I never in my life,’ said Tom, ‘argued with a piece of cake or a bowl of ice cream.’

Halfway down the block they were joined by Charlie, who fell into step beside them and looked like he was going to a funeral.

‘Hey, this tie’s killing me.’ Charlie walked with them in a solemn line.

Moments later they were joined by Will and the others.

‘As soon as the party’s over, let’s all go skinny–dipping out at Apple Crick. Might be our last chance before it gets too cold. Summer’s gone.’

Doug said, ‘Am I the only one who thinks there’s somethin’ fishy goin’ on here? I mean, why’s old man Quartermain giving Lisabell a birthday party? Why’d he invite us? I smell a rat, fellas.’