"You wicked child! And here have I been blaming myself for what I never did! Now you'll just come to Captain Arnold, and tell him that it's you who've burnt us to the ground! And we'll tell the police, and it's to be hoped you'll get a thorough good thrashing!"
"I've told Captain Arnold and the police," said Edmund; "and I've said I'm sorry, and I can't say more!"
Then he ran away down the avenue as fast as he could, and hardly drew his breath till he was in Fibo's study again. He felt that Nurse was more formidable than any one else.
[CHAPTER XV]
Separation
IF it had not been for Fibo, Edmund would not have known how to get through the next few days. Fibo and Dreamikins, in turns, heartened and comforted him. Even Freda and Daffy were struck with horror when they heard what he had done. The servants and the villagers soon knew who the culprit was; and no words could be strong enough for their opinion of Edmund. Mr. Denton, the family lawyer, arrived on the scene the next day with the agent of the estate; and in the afternoon both Mrs. Harrington and her sister, Mrs. Walton, came down from town. They were able to sleep at the Hall, but the children still stayed on at the Dower House. Fibo said he would not let them go, and Dreamikins was delighted to have them.
Edmund dreaded meeting his mother. An hour before she was expected to arrive, Dreamikins found him sitting on a wheelbarrow, behind a shed in the garden, biting his nails, and looking as miserable as any little boy could look.
Dreamikins sat down by his side.
"What a nice seat you have! Shall we wheel each other about in the wheelbarrow?"
Edmund shook his head.