"I know," murmured Narcissus. "I'm glad enough to be out of it all."
"Out of what? Narcissus, you shall tell us," cried Minnie, overhearing.
"Miss Minnie, I'm ashamed of you," said Nurse. "Whatever business is it of yours, I wonder?"
The child subsided, deeply abashed, and Nurse added:
"I advise you both to wait. You shall have a talk together after tea."
"Nurse always says we're little pitchers, you know, 'cause we've got such long ears," declared mischievous Polly, the next small girl; and nobody could help laughing.
Tea was a merry meal—the merriest Marigold had known since she left the Vicarage. When it ended, Mrs. Heavitree came in for a few kind words.
"Now what are you going to do?" she asked. "You and Narcissus will like to be together. Suppose you take your work out into the arbour at the end of the kitchen garden for an hour. Marigold has work with her, of course." Mrs. Heavitree had no notion of idleness; and Marigold, smiling, produced a thimble. "If not, nurse can find something, I dare say, to keep your fingers busy. You can have a nice chat there, undisturbed. Nurse said she would spare Narcissus."
"To be sure I will, ma'am," added Nurse; and the plan was forthwith carried out.
