So two fresh mounds of hay were arranged, and presently the unexpected visitors were seated and sipping their tea complacently. Miss Selina wore the old brown silk gown that every one knew; but Miss Penelope's toilette was very juvenile—white muslin, blue bows, and a sailor hat.
"Your wife is not here?" Miss Selina remarked, addressing the vicar.
"No," he replied; "the baby is poorly, and she did not care to leave home."
"Nothing serious, I hope?"
"Oh, dear, no! Teething, I believe."
"Well, I'll call to-morrow, and cheer your wife up a bit; it's wearisome work nursing a sick child. By the way, I wanted to speak to you—"
And Miss Selina and the vicar drifted into a discussion upon parish matters; whilst Miss Penelope turned her attention to Jack.
"Why, Jack, this is a surprise! How comes it you are here?"
The child laughed happily, and turned his eyes upon his stepbrother.
"It was Theodore who thought of it," he answered. "Wasn't it splendid of him? And father carried me so gently that I was not a bit hurt."