"Not if you would like me to keep you company, Sir Jasper," the lawyer answered, kindly and considerately.
"I wish you to please yourself, Tillotson," Sir Jasper said; but he looked as though he would like his guest to remain with him, so Mr. Tillotson elected to stay at home.
At half-past ten o'clock Mrs. Wallis and the three little girls started to walk to Crumleigh. The service at the church did not commence till eleven, so they had plenty of time. Celia and Lulu walked ahead of Joy and her mother. The way led from the high road through exceedingly muddy lanes. There had been heavy rain during the night, which had cleared, however, and given place to a perfect summer's day, though Sir Jasper had foretold at the breakfast-table that there was more rain to come. Fresh sweet scents arose from the moist earth, and the air was fragrant with the perfume of dog-roses, meadow-sweet, honeysuckle and other summer flowers.
Celia and Lulu chatted merrily; but Joy looked unusually grave as she walked quietly along by her mother's side, her eyes fixed on the couple in front; and she was so occupied with her own thoughts that she awoke from her reverie with a start when Mrs. Wallis addressed her.
"What was it you said, mother?" she asked. "I did not hear."
"I remarked that Celia and this new acquaintance of ours appear to get on well together."
"Yes," Joy agreed, "they are quite friends already, are they not? What do you think of Lulu's best dress, mother?"
"It is very handsome, but quite unsuitable for a young girl."
"Celia says she wishes she had one like it to wear on Sundays."
"If she had I fear she would be thinking more of her finery than of her devotions. Why are they stopping? Oh, I see. Lulu has splashed into a puddle of muddy water."