‘What do you mean, my dear?’
‘They came at me while I was sitting quietly reading—there—and shot at me, and called me such horrid names I can’t repeat them, and ran away. Then the others, Gillian and Harry and all, would not listen to me, but shut themselves up in an out-house and shouted at me.’
‘I think there must be some mistake, Dolores,’ said her aunt. ‘Where are they?’
‘Out beyond there,’ said Dolores, pointing in the direction in which Fergus was running.
Lady Merrifield set off with her, and the other two ladies followed more slowly.
‘I thought it would not do,’ said Aunt Jane.
‘Lily’s children are so rough,’ added Aunt Adeline.
‘I am not so sure that the fault is theirs,’ was the reply. ‘She is a priggish little puss, who wants shaking up.’
‘Ah! here come the hordes,’ sighed Adeline, shrinking a little, as the entire population, summoned by Fergus, came pouring forth to meet the advancing mother.
‘How is this, Wilfred? Have you been shooting arrows at your cousin?’