[CHAPTER IX]
A MORNING WALK
It was April, and the boys of the Beaworthy Grammar School were having a fortnight's vacation, only a few days of which had passed as yet, so that it greatly astonished Polly and Roger Trent to be informed by their cousin, whom they met in the town one morning, that he wished the holidays were over.
"Are you so fond of work, then?" Polly questioned, in her surprise.
"No, certainly not," he answered, regarding her sharply to see if she was laughing at him, "but I've nothing to do. Mother has several visitors staying in the house, all grown-up people, and they're no fun whatever, and I've no one to talk to or play with. Where are you two off?" he asked, glancing at the big basket the little girl was carrying.
"We are going gathering primroses," Roger explained. "Would you—" He hesitated, looking inquiringly at his sister; then, as she nodded, he continued: "Would you like to go with us?"
"I don't mind if I do," Edgar responded condescendingly.
"You needn't if you don't care about it," Polly said quickly, "we can do quite well without you."
"Oh, I want to go with you," Edgar assured her; "I should like the walk, but I don't care about the primroses. I have heaps of flowers at home."
"I suppose you have," said Polly with a faint sigh, "but we have none, you know. The gardens at the Rookery must be looking lovely now with all the spring flowers in bloom; I remember last year you had a lot of daffodils—beauties!"