TEN days Mrs. Broughton stayed with her brother, and in that time she had seen Mrs. Harrington, and actually found a daily governess, who was coming in on her bicycle from the nearest town, three miles off. She was to come to the Dower House every morning, except Saturday, from nine o'clock till twelve, and Freda and Daffy were coming over to learn lessons with Dreamikins.
At first it had been proposed that the lessons should take place at the Hall, but Mrs. Harrington seemed rather afraid of friction between the governess and Nurse, and Freda and Daffy were only too delighted to go to the Dower House. They assured their mother that it was much the best plan, and she willingly agreed with them. For the present, at all events, Dreamikins could not be moved, though the doctor said she was making a marvellously quick recovery, and Mrs. Broughton was anxious that lessons should start as soon as possible.
One other thing Mrs. Broughton did before she left her brother, and this was a great surprise and pleasure.
One sunny afternoon a low four-wheeled pony-chaise drew up at the door of the Dower House, drawn by a stout white Shetland pony with flowing mane and tail. Fibo was taken out in his wheeled chair to inspect it, and Dreamikins was carried out by Daw, her eyes almost starting out of her head with astonishment and delight.
"This is my present to you both," said Mrs. Broughton. "Let me show you how the cushions can be moved, so as to support your poor legs. It has been made expressly for you, Gus, by a Brighton coachbuilder, a friend of mine; and I've spoken to your doctor about it, and he says it's the best thing for you, so you can raise no objections. The summer is going fast. You won't be able to sit out in the garden much longer, and Daw knows of a lad in the village who will come in and look after the pony. You will be able to drive yourself about the lanes, and Dreamikins can learn to drive too if she's a good girl."
Dreamikins gave a yell of delight; she almost threw herself out of Daw's arms; and when she was lifted into the carriage, and a little sliding shelf covered with a cushion shot out from under the seat and received her bandaged leg, she clapped her hands in ecstasy. Then Fibo was lifted in, and they took a trial trip up and down the drive. Mrs. Broughton watched them with a happy smile. Everything worked smoothly. The pony was quiet and manageable, and Fibo had not a single objection to make, except that money ought not to be spent on such things in war-time. Mrs. Broughton said that money was being showered down on invalids, and she was going to shower a little on her two invalids. And after she had given them this present, she said good-bye to them with smiles, and a few tears, and went away.
She was very much missed; but Dreamikins was so full of the pony and of the new governess that she could not be sad, and Fibo was only too glad that his little niece was going to stay on with him. He had been afraid when he first saw her mother that she had come to take her away.
Two days after Mrs. Broughton's departure Dreamikins knocked at her uncle's door before breakfast. She found him nearly dressed in his dressing-gown, lying on his couch by the window enjoying his breakfast. She came in on two crutches, which the doctor now let her use, with a mysterious air.
"I thoughted you'd like to know, Fibo dear, that he's just come down. About half an hour ago he did."
"Who is he?" asked Fibo.