"I'm sorry to hear you have not been very well, Dennis," Caroline remarked, as she collected the children and their toys and took them towards the house, for, as the sun began to drop, the air was cold.
"Me ill?" said Dennis, in surprise. "Why, there's nothing the matter with me! Who said I was ill?"
"Oh, I had a sort of idea you were not well," said Caroline. "Now, come along, chicks; we'll go upstairs and have a lovely game."
"And Dennis shall tell us a story," said Betty, to whom the last comer was always the most welcome.
Caroline walked behind the others laden with their treasures; and the stairs seemed long, and her limbs were strangely tired this day. There was, too, a curious ache when her heart beat.
The bath-time was over, and two little people were tucked up in bed when Mrs. Brenton beckoned Caroline out of the room.
"I hope you won't mind if we leave you this evening, but there is that concert and entertainment in the village. You said you did not care to go to it, but I think we must go. We always have supported the vicar, and he would never forgive if we did not turn up. Will you change your mind and come?"
Caroline shook her head.
"As a matter of fact, I have a good deal of work to do for Mr. Brenton. I have not translated my last lesson. The children are so pleased to have Dennis that she is going to sit with them."
"You will dine at the same hour," said Mrs. Brenton, and with a smile she passed on.