Jill looked grave.
"I meant to start really to-day," she said, "but it's no good now, because we're doing a wicked thing to play truant, and you have to be good when you're walking to the Golden City. I mean to be double good to-morrow to make up."
Jack was already pulling off his shoes and stockings; his sisters quickly followed his example, and for half-an-hour or so they had a delightful time in paddling about. It is true that Bumps fell with a splash once, grazing her hands and knees against the stones and soaking her dress and pinafore, but Bumps' tumbles were so frequent that they passed unnoticed. When they were tired of this pastime they crossed two or three more fields and then climbed up into some steep woods. They were very hot and tired when they reached the top, and sat down to rest.
"We've done nothing exciting yet," complained Jill. "I thought truants always met with lovely adventures."
"Let's have our dinner," suggested Jack, "I'm sure it's time." So again Jack's hoard was brought out, and more bits of cake and biscuits and miscellaneous scraps were divided round.
"I wonder what Miss Falkner is doing," said Jack, "do you think she's hunting for us?"
"Oh, don't think of her. Come on, we must make some adventures. This is very dull."
"We'll all climb a tree," said Jack, "and pretend we're Charles II. hiding in an oak."
Bumps looked a little anxious, but Jill eagerly assented. A suitable tree was found, and up went nimble Jack, followed by Jill, who was quite as good a climber as he was.
Bumps tried her best, but failed entirely, so she sat down on the grass and cried.