"A man's a man for a' that," quoted Gabrielle. "We were snobs."
"You weren't anyway. Well, it's over and done with. Hope she won't be late."
"So do I," observed Mademoiselle de Lavernais, with a suddenness which took the two rather aback. They had not realised that she was so near, or that she would take the smallest interest in their conversation.
It had, in fact, been a surprise to everyone that "Maddy" should have come at all. She had never professed to take any interest in the school games, or in the life outside her classes. But she had turned up to-day at the hurried lunch, in her rusty black toque, and her coat and skirt of a cut belonging to some five years back, and had climbed into the same brake as Noreen and Gabrielle.
The two turned to her politely as soon as she joined in their conversation. "May we see if we can get you a good place, Mademoiselle?" Gabrielle asked; "and then we are going to try and keep one for Joey."
Mademoiselle smiled, her little tight-lipped smile, that seemed as though it were a thing stiff from disuse.
"Thank you, my child; I am obliged. But I fear I do not come to view the match, though it will give much pleasure to hear of the success of Redlands, I assure you. But the hockey is to me a mystery, and I seek a sketch of this place that may remind me of the fen-land when I no more see it."
Noreen stared. "But—but—are you going away?"
Mademoiselle smiled again. "Yes, after this term I return no more. So think no further of me, but watch for your friend."