"Have I upset her? Talk to me about her."
"That is just what I want to do. Only we must be quiet and undisturbed. There is still half an hour before lessons begin. Shall we go into the garden, as it is such a bright morning? Come with me to the summer-house."
Harebell danced out into the bright spring sunshine. Tom was forgotten for the time.
The summer-house was at the end of the lawn under an old medlar-tree.
Mrs. Garland sat down on the low bench inside it and drew Harebell to her side.
"Your aunt wants me to explain things to you before she comes back. Did you ever hear of your Uncle Herbert?"
Harebell's cheeks got crimson. For a moment she hesitated; then said frankly:
"Yes, Andy told me about him; only he said I was not to tell, or he would get into trouble."
"I shall not repeat anything. How much did he tell you, I wonder?"
"He told me Uncle Herbert wasn't dead, but was abroad, and that he had gone away one day when he and Aunt Diana were very angry with each other. I felt very sorry, and begged God to find him and send him back. Has Aunt Diana heard where he is and gone to him?"