"That's just what I'm doing," said Harebell. "I meant to aimer Aunt Diana, but I've never managed to do it yet, and p'r'aps she's gone away from me for good. There is no telling what is going to happen. Even Andy feels that."
"Don't talk any more, but learn your verb."
Miss Forster was very patient with Harebell that morning. She saw her aunt's sudden departure had upset her. When she took the children out at twelve o'clock, she made Harebell walk with her, and let her chatter freely of all that was in her mind. Dinner came, and then lessons till three o'clock. After that the children were free.
Peter and Nan dragged Harebell out into the garden and down to the field where they played cricket.
"Now look here," said Peter. "Listen to our game. You two girls are to be my slaves. I'm going to set you some tasks, and I will stand over you with a whip."
"That doesn't sound at all nice," said Harebell. "What tasks are you going to set us?"
"You'll have to pick blades of grass and fill some baskets. It isn't grass—it's cotton flax. And all the time you're picking, you must settle together how you'll run away from me, I shall be walking up and down slashing my whip. And then you must make up something to send me away, and then I'll give you a quarter of an hour's start. You must go off, and I'll track your footsteps, and if I find you, I warn you, I shall tie you to a tree and flog you to death!"
Nan opened her eyes in horror. Harebell laughed.
"It's very nice for you," she said, "but you and Nan can be the slaves, and I'll be the master!"
Both Peter and Nan exclaimed: