Quite quietly, quite unemotionally, she gave herself then and there to the One whom she wanted to know. And when, about half an hour later, she walked back to the house, there was a peace and joy in her heart that she had never experienced before. The stillness and sweetness of that Sunday evening were to remain with her for many a long day to come.
[CHAPTER VI]
A RAMBLE IN THE FELLS
MONDAY dawned bright and fair. The picnic on the lake was a great success. Ruffie was made comfortable with cushions in the boat, and the little girls were allowed to take an oar together, whilst the old gardener Stephen took the other. They rowed across to a small island, and landed there for lunch.
At six o'clock they came home; a rather tired but a very happy little party. Anstice had the art of making and keeping children so.
She overheard a conversation about herself between Ruffie and his sisters which rather amused her. She was planting a small bed with seedlings outside the library, and their voices came to her through the open window.
"I love Steppie."
This emphatically and a little defiantly from Ruffie.
"You've gone over pretty soon! I'm going to wait a month to see what she's like."
This was Josie speaking.