"I think not, Hugh. Aunt Faith likes boys, and she never seems to see their pranks."
"Dear Aunt Faith! she is certainly the kindest aunt a graceless nephew ever had," said Hugh warmly.
"That she is; I love her dearly, and I do mean to try not to vex her any more," said Bessie earnestly.
"But, the horseback-riding, Bessie!"
"But, the horseback-riding, Hugh!"
The two offenders looked at each other a moment in silence, and then burst into a peal of laughter.
"It's of no use," said Bessie; "we can't be good."
"Do you think Aunt Faith would be very much shocked if we should tell her?" asked Hugh.
"Of course she would. She does not like to see a lady on horseback, because her cousin was killed by a fall from a horse, you know. Still, she might not forbid my going, provided I would ride quietly on a country road; but that is just what I do not want to do. The whole excitement is in the racing, you know."
"Well, I suppose it would be better not to tell her, then," said Hugh slowly.
Dinner-time came, and the family assembled in the dining-room, Sibyl attired in a fresh muslin, and Bessie and Hugh somewhat dusty after their morning in the studio. Tom and Gem came in with flushed faces;—the B. B.'s were to return after dinner and finish the excavation, and the afternoon was to be full of glory.