"She'd got to do something first in the kitchen, and she said she'd meet me at the back gate."
"I'll walk down the garden with you."
Sometimes, when Miss Storey was not at hand, Miss Anne would indulge in a little run with her niece; and she did so now. Hecla slipped an arm through hers, pulling hard, and Miss Anne ran briskly all down the back garden pathway.
"Auntie, I wish you'd come for a walk."
"I'm wanted indoors, dear. I have been out already."
"Elisabeth can't tell me stories; and I like stories. Auntie Anne, weren't you ever naughty when you were a little girl?"
"Very often naughty, I'm afraid."
That was consoling. "I'm glad. Won't you tell me some day all about your being naughty?"
"Perhaps, some day. But you mustn't be glad, Hecla. You ought to be sorry when people are naughty."
"If it was a grown-up person that was naughty!" suggested Hecla. "But not if it was once you, auntie."