Sidney spoke penitently, and then Mrs. de Cressiers said in a different tone:
"That is a nice little girl you brought with you. Shall we walk out into the garden and join them?"
They did so, but Sidney got no chance of a word alone with Austin. He avoided her, and as soon as they had left the house, he went to the stables and ordered his horse. His mother did not see him again till dinner-time.
[CHAPTER X]
JOCKIE'S FRIEND
JOCKIE settled down at the Rectory in a surprisingly quick time. She took a Sunday class of boys, and helped as much as she was allowed in the parish. The Rector before long began to trust her, and discovered that she was not the flighty damsel that her words had led him to expect. She was devoted to Sidney, and gave her a young girl's worship, but she was of too energetic a nature to be satisfied with her quiet life at the Rectory.
She marched up to Monica one day.
"I want work, Miss Pembroke. Miss Urquhart says you can give me some. I can't fill my days. Cousin John has too many servants. There is nothing to do. The gardener won't let me touch the garden; the housekeeper orders the house; when I'm not running about the village, I read; but I know that my friend Gavine would say that if I take in, I must give out. She is great on work. I had a letter from her the other day. She implores me to make myself of use to my fellow-creatures. What can I do?"
Monica looked at her thoughtfully.
"I believe you can help me," she said; "not by outdoor work—I could give you a lot of that—but by taking Chuckles in hand."