Miss Goodwin did not perceive the drift of his question, though she looked a trifle surprised as she answered—
"Why, say I sent them, of course!"
The children exchanged amused glances; then, after a moment's hesitation, Angel explained the situation.
"You see, we do not know who you are," she said. "Won't you, please, tell us your name?"
"You don't know who I am!" the old lady cried in amazement. "Well, I never! And I have lived in Wreyford all my life!"
"But we only came last night," Angel reminded her, "and we don't know any one in Wreyford yet, except the Mickles; I know them because I went to their house when I spent a week here with Uncle Edward before Christmas, but I did not see you then. Father will like to know who sent him these lovely flowers!"
"I am called Goodwin—Anna Goodwin—Miss Anna Goodwin," the little lady informed them with a slight stress upon the "miss." "I knew Mr. Bailey when he was a boy, and I knew your grandfather too! Well, if you really must go, good-bye! Come and see me again soon."
They promised, and took their departure with their faces wreathed in smiles, whilst Miss Goodwin watched them out of sight, and then returned to her gardening. When they passed Myrtle Villa on their way back to Haresdown House, after having executed their errands in the town, the quaint little figure of the gardener had disappeared.
So far Angel had kept possession of the flowers, occasionally lifting them to her face to enjoy their fragrance; but as they commenced the ascent of Haresdown Hill, Gerald said—
"I say, Angel, I think it's about time I had a turn at carrying those flowers. You've had them all the way!"