The little group of enthusiasts waylaid the mistress as she came out of the library, and, reminding her of the projected expedition, nailed her to the point.
"Very well, we will decide on next Saturday afternoon, provided, of course, that it's a fine day," replied Miss Carter.
"And the place?" asked Alison.
"I think we can't do better than Beechfield. We could walk along the embankment to Longacre, and take the train back from there. We ought to find plenty of flowers on the way."
"And we might stop and have tea somewhere," suggested Alison, who was determined to make an outing of it.
"Yes, so we might. There's an inn by the river about half-way to Longacre, and several cottages that cater for visitors."
"We can start quite early, I suppose?"
"I'll look up the railway guide, and pin a programme on the notice board to-morrow."
"There, you see!" said Alison, as the deputation returned in triumph, "there's nothing like sticking to a thing. I believe in people keeping promises when they make them."
"We shall have a ripping afternoon. Miss Carter is ever so jolly."