Red Rose and Tiger Lily
for children had not deserted her. She was often heard to say that she was happier with a frank, original child than she was with most grown people. Boris was certainly frank; N
o explore the tower, the old ruined chapel, where services used to be held morning and night more than three hundred years ago, the dungeon under the chapel, and all the other places of historic interest. Then the children's gardens were visited; and, finally, Annie was persuaded to seat herself in the swing and be
ver at last, a perfect su
l likely to be ba
rk night," said Bori
ke you sad; I like you with your eyes smiling and your face puckered up with
he daytime when it was so hot; but now they're lighting another bonfir
truck up Nell; "yes,
er cared to be with children unless she could s
seeing the shadow cross her face; "I sho
said
to us; you have helped us to have a beautiful
her," s
w, suppose we have a bit of fun on our own ac
aid Boris; "but across the fi
as going to try and induce you all to come back to the Grange to supper, so we three will join the
n," said Boris; "do
apped h
essy and untidy, his face was stained with fruit and his hands were dirty. Nell's blue cotton frock was also considerably out at the gathers round the
that was delightful, and in an incredibly short space of time, the three found the
e we light a great bonfire on the lawn to welcome them." But
nge were our own place we would. We'll just g
tion radiating all over his face. "She'll see that we have had our
now, and as Boris finished his speech they cam
anding, and instead of solitude they found
eam, and pushing aside Boris, who was prepared to rush into her arm
s nearly quite killed Nora." Her poor little voice broke with these last words,
said Annie, kneeling down and putti
's carriage," shouted B
so early from the
bbed on unab
ot, flushed, little face on Annie's neck and wetted her frill with her plent
, "they'll tell us; oh, and there's Nan, too. Hullo
ed up ex
said she'd better come here, and she's lying in the library and Dr. Jervis is there. I haven't the faintest idea how it happened," c
d her face and looked at Annie
to Nan when Hester ca
anxious about you; and poor Nora has been hurt, and Kitty seems in trouble
minute; the rich colour mantled her che
ee how I am to blame. From your manner, Nan, and yours, He
oined Hester. "What does it matter, Hetty, when we are all so awf
myself to be let alone. I must find out what I'm accused of. Kitt
said Molly, turning away
facing Annie, and the boys, Guy and H
itty," sa
hat you was grown up and we needn't fret; and Nan said you was nothing if you wasn't unexpected; so nobody fretted, and I kept my secret locked up tight. But Nora wanted you more than the others, and she saw my lips shut tight and my eyes watching for you through the trees, and she guessed I had a secret; and I said I had, but I wouldn't tell; and she said she'd take me to mother, and that mother would make me tell, and so I climbed up into the beech-tree to get away from her; and I was naughty and cross, and she was naughty and cross, too, and
all?" s
replied Kitty. "I d
I did not remember that I might get you into trouble, Kitty; it d
lucky to be just decently honourable. We don't tell lies
broke my word," said Annie. "Yes, I
e, and, plunging into the s
g to follow her. "I knew it would cut her to the heart, but it can't be helped. She'll
the deepest consolation to her; she walked away with him slowly, and Nell took Hester
us? Oh, Hetty, it's worse than the colts! Oh, I felt bad this morning, but
ctor's opinion. Your father and mother are both with Nora; and Dr. Jervis is there and Jane. Everything is being done that
clasped her arms round her neck, and shed a few of those silent, rare tears which only came
o live through this sus
he spoke it c
He strode quickly through the hall, and entered the porch where the thre
" she
was very pale, and a sudden contrac
o be as cheerful as we can and not break down
r?" asked Molly. "What
wishes us to get Dr. Bentinck from London to see her, and I am going to drive to Nortonbury to telegraph to him to come at onc
not stay?"
l stay and help your mother to-night until we can get the services of a proper
brougham and was driven rapidly away.
test and the prettiest of us all. Nothing ever seemed to happe
r to-morrow, I am
uld only stay here,
ld, Molly, with
on at the Towers," continued Molly. "I
nd tell you, and perhaps something may be a
help mother far better than Jane can. But ther