The next minute Bob was shaking hands with Mrs. Coker, who greeted him very kindly. And then he was introduced to Miss Long, after which Rupert espied Lilian in the garden, and going to the open window called to her:
"Come in, Lilian! Bob Wills is here!" he shouted. "No-wait! We'll come to you," he added on second thoughts.
Bob regarded Lilian with mingled curiosity and sympathy when they joined her in the garden. If he had not been told she was blind, he would never have guessed the fact.
"I'm so glad you've come at last," she said, as she shook hands with him. "What would you like to do?"
"We thought we'd take him round the gardens and stables this morning," Rupert interposed. "It seems as though it might rain later on."
The gardens were well worth seeing. Bob, who loved flowers, was delighted; whilst Nellie and Rupert, who cared much less about them, grew a little impatient, as their visitor lingered over a bed of autumn violets.
"How sweet they are!" Bob cried, sniffing appreciatively.
Then, to his amazement, Lilian stooped over the bed, and gathered a bunch which she presented to him.
"Oh, thank you," he said, "but how could you pick them when you cannot see?"
"I can feel though," she replied, with a smile.