"How foolish to make a fuss about such a trifle!" Miss Selina cried. "Really, Penelope, it is almost childish."
Miss Penelope looked resentful at this speech, and she sat in silence for a while.
The children having finished tea, Mrs. Barton sent them off to play again; and the vicar and Mr. Barton returned to the haymakers, whilst Jane packed the cups and plates into baskets, and returned with them to the Hall.
"Now I call this very pleasant," Miss Selina remarked. "What a pretty sight, to be sure. Why, it was years and years ago since I had tea in a hayfield. I suppose this is your first experience of anything of the sort, little man?" she said, glancing smilingly at Jack.
"Yes, indeed. Isn't it jolly?"
"Very. And so it was Theodore's idea, I hear?"
"He thought of it for Jack's sake," Mrs. Barton explained. "Was it not good of him? So many boys of his age would not have cared for another's pleasure."
"He is a good boy," Miss Selina agreed. "And so you two are great friends?" turning to Jack again.
"Yes," he answered promptly. "Oh, yes, great friends!"
"Just like brothers, in fact," Miss Penelope remarked in a tone that made her sister glance at her sharply.