Nobody seemed to care much about Chris. The farmer was given many thanks, and some refreshment; the little girls were given some supper and packed off to bed. Peter did not greet them very pleasantly.
"Girls never can play the game!" he said. "Sneaking off and getting on horseback! It wasn't fair a bit!"
"Slaves would get on anything to get away," said Harebell sharply. "They don't stop to think; you could have got on the donkey. But oh, dear! Nothing matters but Chris, where can he be!"
She tossed restlessly about in bed, and had a wakeful night. At six o'clock she slipped out of bed, dressed herself, and set off to see Andy.
He was very angry when he heard about the lost pony.
"I thought for sure you would put him up for the night somewhere! You don't deserve to be given a smart little pony like that, to go off and leave him loose on a high-road. Shame on you, Miss Harebell!"
Harebell began to cry. She returned to the Rectory disconsolately. Miss Forster scolded her for leaving the house without permission.
"You are a great deal too independent!" she said to her. "Whilst you are here you must ask permission to do things, just as you do your aunt."
"But," Harebell said, "that's just what I don't do! Aunt Diana doesn't trouble about me, and I don't trouble about her. She tells me not to do some things, that's all. I keep away from her all I can."
"I thought you were going to love her."