Anna, meanwhile, was quite as much interested as the Dornton people about the picnic which the Palmers intended to give. All country pleasures were new to her, and her companions at Pynes were very much amused to hear that she had never been to a picnic in her life, and had most confused ideas as to what it meant.
“It will be a very large one,” said Isabel Palmer to her one morning. “Mother thinks it will be such a good way of entertaining the Dornton people. We thought of a garden-party, but if it’s fine a picnic will be much more fun.”
The three girls were alone in the schoolroom, their lessons just over, and Anna was lingering for a chat before going back to Waverley.
“Have you settled on the place yet?” she asked.
“Alderbury,” replied Isabel, “because it’s near, and there’s a jolly little wood to make the fire in.”
“How delightful it will be!” exclaimed Anna. “How I wish it was going to be to-morrow, I’m so afraid something will prevent it.”
“Bother this list!” put in Clara’s voice, from the table where she sat writing; “you might help me, Isabel.”
“What do you want?” asked her sister.
“Well—Mr Goodwin, for instance—am I to put him down?”
Anna gave a little start, and gazed earnestly out of the window at which she stood, as Isabel went up to the table and looked over Clara’s shoulder. Then they did not know! Aunt Sarah had not told them. How strange it seemed!