Pary’s Mead lay between Holywell Church and the East Gate, on the north of the present Magdalen College.
“Lack-a-daisy! but however are the girls to get down to the gate? I daren’t let ’em go by themselves.”
The girls looked blank: and two big tears filled Derette’s eyes, ready to fall.
“If all you need is an escort, friend, here am I,” said Gerhardt; “but why should the girls go alone? I would fain take you and Agnes too.”
“Take Agnes and welcome,” said Isel with a sigh; “but I’m too old, I reckon, and poor company at best.”
A little friendly altercation followed, ended by Gerhardt’s decided assertion that Agnes should not go without her hostess.
“But who’s to see to Baby?” said Derette dolefully.
“We will lock up the house, and leave Baby with old Turguia,” suggested Isel.
“Nay, she tramped off to see the show an hour ago.”
“Never mind! I’ll stop with Baby,” said Derette with heroic self-abnegation.