For once in a way Miss Cummings was inclined to be lenient with her pupils. A little before eleven o'clock Captain Basset came into the schoolroom to say good-bye to May and Donald, and Miss Cummings was introduced to him. Then, shortly after he had gone, the wheels of the pony-carriage were heard, and May exclaimed—
"Oh, Miss Cummings, do, do let us go to the window and look out!"
"Very well," Miss Cummings agreed. "And I think we'll stop work for the morning," she added, "things are so unsettling."
She followed her pupils to the window, which they opened. Leaning out, they could see the pony-carriage at the front door, with Tommy between the shafts, Barns standing by.
In a minute Mr. Basset came out of the house, and, having taken the reins from Barnes, settled himself in the driver's seat. He was followed by Josephine, and some minutes later by Captain Basset. The latter looked up to the schoolroom window and saluted, as, having seated himself opposite his little daughter, the carriage moved away.
"I like him!" May exclaimed heartily. "He's so nice and friendly; I do hope he'll soon get leave again. I wonder where Aunt Ann is—why she didn't go out to see him off?"
"I expect she's crying somewhere," Donald answered; "I saw at breakfast that her eyes kept filling with tears."
"Let us go and find her and persuade her to come out in the garden with us, shall we?" suggested May.
Miss Cummings agreed. Accordingly governess and pupils went downstairs together, and found Miss Basset weeping in the dining-room.
May ran to her and kissed her with ready sympathy, whilst the governess explained that lessons had been stopped for the morning, adding that she hoped Miss Basset did not mind.