Then Miss Anne went off, hardly grasping the fact that she left the children with nobody in charge. She had forgotten for the moment that Elisabeth was out. Mrs. Prue, of course, was in the kitchen; but Miss Anne, full of the accident to their gardener's baby, did not think of pausing to mention to Prue the state of affairs. Since the cottage was only just outside their garden she expected to return in a few minutes.
"I know we shall be late. I know, I'm perfectly sure we shall be late. I know we sha'n't get there in time,"' Hecla kept saying, as she roved about the room, gazed out of the window, and consulted the clock.
Ivy had seated herself contentedly in a corner with her doll. She was not impatient like Hecla. "Why-because sha'n't we be there in time?" she inquired.
"Why, Chris will be gone. He's got to be back at school at four o'clock. And he's promised to give me a lovely new boat. It's a better boat than that boat he gave to you. And he said he would be there. And I want it most dreadfully. And I know Auntie Anne won't get back soon enough."
It was a good deal past three o'clock, for which no doubt Hecla had only herself to thank. But she was not in a mood to be reasonable.
"I don't believe I can wait much longer," she cried, kicking a footstool about the room, as a relief to her feelings.
"Why-because can't you wait much longer?" murmured Ivy, arranging her doll's hat.
"Why, I told you! You know quite well. I want to get there in time to catch Chris before he goes back to school. Oh dear, I do hate waiting. I like everything to come quick—all in a minute. I wish people wouldn't go and get hurt, just when I want to go out. I'm sure I can't wait much longer."
But of course she had to wait. She and Ivy could not go off alone.
Minute after minute crept past, and the hand of the clock travelled on and on, and still Miss Anne remained away. It was too provoking! Hecla roved round the room, and jumped on and off the chairs, and three times ran out to the back door; but no Aunt Anne was in sight.