Then Nan mounted a bank, and peered over the hedge.
"Do you know, Harebell, I believe there are cowslips over in that other field. It looks just like them. Do come and see."
Harebell had never seen cowslips. It was the work of a moment to clamber over a gate and scamper across the field. Nan was right and the two little girls set to work to pick the flowers at once.
"We'll get back in time for tea," said Nan. "What fun! Peter will be looking for us everywhere."
"I hope Chris hasn't moved," said Harebell. "He wouldn't go on without us, would he? He's too sensible for that."
But that was exactly what Chris had done; and when they got back to the road, there was no sign of him. The little girls looked at each other with blank dismay.
"He's gone home," said Harebell, "and now we shall have to walk all the way."
"It's too bad of him! He might have waited for us!" wailed Nan.
"I ought to have tied him up. Now what shall we do? We'd better walk back the way we came, as fast as we can."
They started, but the road seemed unending; and when they came to the cross roads, they were in doubt, as they had not noticed, when they passed them so quickly, which road they had taken.