"She's made me a promise. Promises must be kept."
Anstice nodded brightly at Josie.
"Yes, I mean to come back," she said; "I told you long ago, didn't I, that nothing would drive me away."
"We don't want to drive you away, now," said Georgie; "it's much nicer when you're here. It was horrid when you were up in your bedroom."
"Thank you, Georgie."
Before she went, Anstice had a long and confidential talk with Josie.
"I'm going to make you responsible for good behaviour," she said; "but I don't want you to boss Georgie too much. Coax her; don't scold her when she wants to do anything she ought not. I want you to act as the eldest daughter of the house should. You must come down to the dining-room for breakfast whilst I am away, and pour out your father's coffee, and sit at one end of the table. Look after him, and do little things for him."
Josie giggled, but she adopted an important air.
"Oh, I'll look after things," she said airily.
Anstice gave her one or two special small duties to do in her absence, such as feeding the birds in the aviary and watering the plants, and arranging flowers for the dining-room table.