"I shall go along and get my food in farmhouses where they make nice hot bread and have cream with their porridge. I have five shillings of my own, and that will last a long time. I will get lost where no one can find me. And then Peter will be sorry and confess what he did, and aunt will be sorry too!"
The more she thought about this the more easy and delightful it seemed to be.
"Aunt Diana wants to get rid of me, and, if I go away, she'll be glad!"
Then, after a good deal more thinking, she fell asleep.
[CHAPTER X]
A LITTLE RUNAWAY
IT was a lovely summer morning. Harebell woke up a little before five o'clock. With a set determined face she got up and dressed herself, stepping about her room as quietly as possible. She tied up a nightgown and brush and comb and toothbrush in a bundle. Then she began to think that she might want more clothes than that. She took a few things out of her drawers, and put them into a red cotton bag which she tied round her waist.
Then on tip-toe, she stole downstairs, and softly unbolted the back-door. It was easy then to find her way to the stable. Andy had taught her how to saddle Chris, and in about half an hour's time she had got free of the house, and was cantering along the country lanes.
Then she remembered that she had not said her prayers. Her conscience began to trouble her. Was this like a child of the Kingdom? Harebell refused to let herself think. In a whisper, she gabbled over her prayers; for she felt that she wanted God to take care of her, though she did not mean to mention her plan in her prayers to Him.
The fresh air and the birds' singing did not seem as enjoyable to her, as she expected they would be. She passed through the village as quickly as she could, and took the road that the signpost said led to London.