So Dawn began and related truthfully their experiences up to the time when he went to inquire at the cottage about the best way across the river.
"There was only a stupid old woman, but she told us the bridge was a mile off, back on the road we'd left by the signpost, so we had to go all back again, and Tina was very tired, and the bridge never came in sight, and at last I told Tina we must try and get across the river by wading and swimming, and while we were talking, a gentleman drove by in a motor and I called out, and he said he'd take us in. Tina was awfully frightened; she said she had never been in a motor; but it was scrumptious! We flew along, only when we came to the bridge the gentleman was going the other way, not over it, so he put us out."
"And," broke in Christina, "fancy! The other side of the bridge we found Susy. She was driving so slowly because her pony was tired, and she said she would come back with us to the woods. It was very good of her, for she's so hungry and has had no dinner, and has to wait till she gets to a town to get it. I do hope I shall see her again. Dawn told her she was a gipsy, but she said she wasn't. I do like a little girl to talk to, I only have boys."
"They're a jolly sight better than girls," began Dawn indignantly; but his father shut him up.
"It's lucky I brought lamps," he said, "for we're quite benighted. This will be our last outing, Jack-in-the-box! And it's high time you were at school!"
"But I shan't go till after Christmas," chuckled Dawn.
Christina, muffled up in a heavy plaid, began to feel sleepy. Visions of Susy and her drunken father flitted through her brain, and when Bracken Towers was reached she murmured plaintively:
"Oh, don't hit Susy, she's too little, and you're too big!"
Her stepmother received her in the hall, and did not seem disturbed by the lateness of the hour. She had only just returned from a long drive herself, and when Mr. O'Flagherty offered his apologies, she laughed.
"It's all right. It won't hurt the child a mild day like this. When you left word that you would be back at four, I thought it might be six. Your nationality is not famous for accuracy!"