He rode off at full speed, and the little girls walked in the direction of the village. They had barely reached it before he overtook them.
"Can I go?" Harebell asked him eagerly.
"Yes," he said.
She skipped for joy. Tom's future held a big place in her thoughts, and she was delighted to see him again.
"Oh, do come on," she besought the others when the village sweet shop brought them to a standstill.
"I want some bull's eyes," said Peter.
He wheeled his cycle up to the shop, leant it against the wall, and then disappeared inside. Nan followed him.
Harebell stamped with impatience: then determined not to wait for them, and walked on quickly to Mrs. Triggs' cottage.
She had one more check.
Colonel Keith was coming out of the post office and met her. He was rapidly getting stronger, and now got about in a low pony trap, which for the present, he hired.