Peter looked wildly round, then tore into the house. The little girls raced across the field and got out in the road, then they faced each other breathless.
"Where shall we go?" asked Nan.
"Oh, come on to Aunt Diana's! Andy will hide us. He will never come there. No, I tell you a better plan still. You can ride, can't you? Can you stick on behind me if we ride Chris? It will be such fun! He will never track us if we ride away on horseback."
Nan clapped her hands.
"How lovely! Come on, let us run as fast as ever we can."
They reached the house unseen. Harebell gave a peal at the bell which brought Andy in an instant to the door; but he did not look very pleased to see the children.
"Now, Miss Harebell! No sooner gone than back again! What do you want? My orders is not to let any one in!"
"I only want Chris? We are going for a ride on him."
"I knowed I would have you round after that there 'orse. Well, come along; s'pose I shall have to saddle him."
In five minutes' time, both Nan and Harebell were seated astride on Chris, Nan clinging for dear life, with her arms round Harebell's waist. And then away at a gallop they went, down the country lane, past the end of the village, and then along a quiet road, between woods on either side.