Though she turned her back on him, Beryl felt sure that the long-legged youth was laughing at her. But she was not going to sit squeezed up there with him, if she knew it, she declared to herself.
Room was found for Beryl on the front seat; but she had not a very pleasant place, for the piled-up portmanteaux blocked her view. She felt cross and disappointed. She would have no nice talk with her father after all; for it was impossible to say what she wanted to say to him with that horrid boy listening.
"And how do you get on with your governess, Beryl?" asked her father, as they drove along.
"Oh, so well, papa! You can't think how nice she is! We both like her so much," began Beryl eagerly, checking herself, however, as she remembered the unwelcome listener.
"That's right; I'm glad to hear that," said Mr. Hollys, who had expected rather a different answer.
"You haven't been trying to get drowned again lately, have you?" asked Percy, leaning forward to address the child.
"Trying to get drowned?" repeated Beryl, in bewilderment.
"Yes; are not you the girl who got swamped in a cave, and managed to escape in the most mysterious way?" he asked.
Beryl's cheeks grew crimson. She knew he was laughing at her. How horrid that he should have heard of that adventure!
"Yes, this is the heroine," said Mr. Hollys merrily, as Beryl remained silent.