"He's a pretty handful," Josiah exclaimed, shaking his head.
"I expect someone will be here looking for him soon," said Salome. "I hope so, for his mother will be anxious if she does not know where he is, and she is not strong."
But nobody came in search of Gerald, who at last disappeared from sight beyond the rocks. In spite of her father's assurance that the boy could come to no harm, the little girl grew uneasy about him; and, by-and-by, rose and went to make certain he was safe. She found him lying flat on the wet beach, gazing into a pool between two rocks at some beautiful anemones; and tried to induce him to retrace his footsteps, but all to no purpose. In vain she told him that his mother would be worried about him, and that his father would be angry. The wayward child would pay no attention to her.
"What's it to do with you?" he demanded rudely. "Mind your own business, if you please."
As he absolutely refused to return, Salome left him with the intention of persuading her father to interfere; but, to her dismay, she found Josiah had deserted his nets, and as the key of the cottage door was in her pocket, she knew he had not gone home. In all probability he had betaken himself to the "Crab and Cockle" to obtain a drink. Whilst she was hesitating how to act, much to her surprise, Gerald appeared around the rocks and joined her. He was tired of the beach, he declared, and wanted to see her flowers, so she allowed him to accompany her home. And thus it was that the young tyrant was discovered in Salome's garden half-an-hour later by his much-tried governess.
Poor Miss Conway! She almost wept with joy on finding Gerald in safety, and insisted on his return to Greystone immediately. She led him away in triumph, paying no attention to his request that he might be allowed to remain a little longer.
Josiah did not return for his tea, so after waiting some time, Salome had hers, and then seated herself under the porch with her knitting. There Margaret Fowler found her as the evening was drawing in.
"Mother has sent me to thank you for taking such good care of Gerald this afternoon," Margaret said as she complied with the lame girl's invitation to sit down opposite to her. "He is a very tiresome, disobedient boy, for father had told him never to go down on the beach by himself. He is not to be trusted. Father has punished him for his naughtiness by ordering him to bed. It was quite a shock to poor Miss Conway when she found Gerald was nowhere on the premises."
"I noticed she looked pale," Salome said. "I am afraid Master Gerald is very troublesome."
"Troublesome! I should think he is. It was kind of you to look after him, Salome. I have a message from my mother to know if you can come to see us to-morrow. Do try to come."