"We didn't know when we were well off," said Nancy. "We often lie awake at night and cry for you."
They were now walking towards the booking-office. "But surely Miss Phipp isn't cruel to you my pets Mrs. Clinton would never allow that oh my ticket Mr. Belper now I know I put it somewhere here it is in my bag and I give up this half and retain the other, good-afternoon ah to see these nice horses again it is like coming home indeed I have not ridden in a private carriage since I left Kencote. Good-afternoon William I see you are still here and promoted to the box one more of the old faces."
Thus expressing her pleasure, Miss Bird got into the carriage and the twins after her, and they drove off.
"Well my pets," she began, "let me take a good look at you many's the time I've longed to set eyes on you, and you have not altered at all just a trifle pale I do hope that you have not been working too hard."
Joan and Nancy exchanged glances, and then heaved a simultaneous sigh. They acted habitually so much in accord that the acceptance of an idea striking them simultaneously could be indicated by a look. "You were often unkind to us, Starling darling," said Joan plaintively, "although we've quite forgiven you for it; but in your most headstrong moments you were never actually cruel."
"Don't cry, Joan," said Nancy. "We have nearly three weeks' holiday, and with Starling here we shall be able to forget everything, and be as happy as possible."
Miss Bird's face showed perplexed horror. "But surely it isn't possible——" she began.
Nancy interrupted her. "I don't mind so much for myself, because I'm not so tender-hearted as Joan and don't feel things so much, and—oh, Starling darling, please don't press that arm."
She winced realistically, and Joan took her up immediately.
"Nancy, I wonder if there's time to get long sleeves put into our frocks for to-night. Mother will ask what the marks are, and we can't tell her a lie, and if we tell her the truth—— Oh, Starling darling, don't go away from us again. We can't bear it any more;" and she wept audibly on Miss Bird's inadequate shoulder.