I think I could tell you every station between this and -- ' He leaned forward , but his eye was caught by the setting sun . It had come down to the top of Cherry Clack Hill , and the light poured in between the tree trunks so that you could see red and gold and black deep into the heart of Far Wood ; and Parnesius in his armour shone as though he had been afire . ` Wait ! ' he said , lifting a hand , and the sunlight jinked on his glass bracelet . ` Wait ! I pray to Mithras ! ' He rose and stretched his arms westward , with deep , splendid-sounding words . Then Puck began to sing too , in a voice like bells tolling , and as he sang he slipped from Volaterrae to the ground , and beckoned the children to follow . They obeyed ; it seemed as though the voices were pushing them along ; and through the goldy-brown light on the beech leaves they walked , while Puck between them chanted something like this : ` Cur mundus militat sub vana gloria Cujus prosperitas est transitoria ? Tam cito labitur ejus potentia Quam vasa figuli quæ sunt fragilia . ' They found themselves at the little locked gates of the wood . ` Quo Cæsar abiit celsus imperio ? Vel Dives splendidus totus in prandio ? Dic ubi Tullius -- ' Still singing , he took Dan 's hand and wheeled him round to face Una as she came out of the gate . It shut behind her , at the same time as Puck threw the memory-magicking Oak , Ash and Thorn leaves over their heads . ` Well , you are jolly late , ' said Una . ` Could n't you get away before ? ' ' I did , ' said Dan . ' I got away in lots of time , but -- but I did n't know it was so late . Where 've you been ? '
` In XXXXX -- waiting for you . '
Dan Hill Mithras Parnesius Puck Tullius Una Volaterrae fragilia imperio