“I shall live forever and ever and ever!” he cried grandly. “I shall find out thousands and thousands of things. I shall find out about people and creatures and everything that grows⁠—like Dickon⁠—and I shall never stop making Magic. I’m well! I’m well! I feel⁠—I feel as if I want to shout out something⁠—something thankful, joyful!”

Ben Weatherstaff, who had been working near a rosebush, glanced round at him.

“Tha’ might sing th’ Doxology,” he suggested in his dryest grunt. He had no opinion of the Doxology and he did not make the suggestion with any particular reverence.

But Colin was of an exploring mind and he knew nothing about the Doxology.

“What is that?” he inquired.

“Dickon can sing it for thee, I’ll warrant,” replied Ben Weatherstaff.