Bumps was not crushed. She kept up an incessant stream of shrill whispers till Jill refused to respond, and then she confided the whole plan of action to a beloved rag doll that she always took to bed with her.
It was hard to keep the secret from Miss Falkner, who always helped them to dress, but at last they were dismissed, and scampered down-stairs. Jill had quietly conveyed their hats and boots into the passage before-hand, so they had no difficulty in getting themselves ready for their day out.
Jack joined them in the hall below. One of the maids noticed them but thought they were going into the garden, which indeed they did, though they did not stay there.
"We will walk along the road till we come to a nice field," said Jill, who was taking the head.
"And now we've really begun to truant!" said Bumps importantly; "but please don't go so fatht!"
"Hurrah!" shouted Jack, throwing his cap into the air and catching it; "we're going to do no horrid lessons to-day!"
They tramped along, Bumps getting hot and breathless with her eager resolve to keep pace with the others.
"My legs is so short!" she panted ruefully; "pleath let me hold your hand, Jill."
Jill seized hold of her impatiently.