She took the packages off that same evening, but only left them at the door for him, as Granny said she was not to stay, for bed-time was close at hand.
And all three children went to bed very satisfied with their day's work.
[CHAPTER VII]
THE PIRATE'S HOME
CHARLIE was delighted with his packages and wrote a little note thanking them, but he was not allowed out of his bedroom yet, and for the time the little girls had to be content to play without him.
Sir George arrived one morning, wanting to carry off the children to lunch with his wife, but Miss Vale was very stern and would not let lessons be interfered with. So he deferred his invitation to the afternoon, and then they went to tea with Lady Melville instead. As before, Charity and Hope went off with Sir George to see his books and horses, and Faith stayed to talk to Lady Melville. Of course she told her of their new friend, the Pirate, and Lady Melville knew all about him.
"I wish he would come and see us oftener; but he is rather unsociable, and he does not lead a natural life. He is a devoted son, but a man ought not to be a sick nurse; that is a woman's vocation."
Then Lady Melville smiled at Faith's puzzled face.
"I always forget I am talking to a child," she said. "You seem like a grown-up person sometimes, little Faith."
"I don't feel like one," said Faith, smiling. "Is old Mr. Cardwell very dreadful? Everybody says he is. If we go to tea there, shall we have to see him?"