"And a very satisfactory thing that is," said Guy. "I never care as long as I can find some one to bear the blame of my misdeeds. Why should people make such a fuss about early rising? It is all very well to get up if there is shooting or anything to get up for; but otherwise I would rather stay in bed."
Every one laughed at this candid confession, and Hilda's face brightened. They strolled out through the open door into the garden.
"Aldyth has prime news for you, Kitty," said Guy. "It seems there is a new tutor come to the school, and he must needs prostrate himself at my cousin's gate last evening. Aldyth found him there—a gory spectacle. Being, as you know, one of the most strong-minded of her sex, she did not faint, but promptly conveyed him into the house, where she, and Cousin Lucy devoted themselves to binding up his wounds."
"What do you mean?" exclaimed Kitty. "I never heard such a rigmarole. Aldyth, what does he mean?"
"It is quite true, I assure you," said Guy. "We met the wounded knight not five minutes ago, with his forehead plastered up, looking like the hero of a hundred fights."
"Do be sensible and tell me what you mean," pleaded Kitty. "Aldyth, is there a word of truth in what he says?"
"It is remotely 'founded on fact,' like the stories auntie used to read when she was a girl," said Aldyth, "and the facts are these: Mr. Glynne had a fall from his bicycle near our gate yesterday afternoon. He cut his forehead rather badly, and I persuaded him to come in and let aunt attend to it."
"You don't mean it! What a joke!" cried Kitty. "Do tell me about it, Aldyth."
"Indeed I will not, if you are going to make a joke of another's suffering—you unfeeling creature!" said Aldyth.
"Why, was he much hurt?" asked Kitty, quickly. "You might tell me, Aldyth."