“Well, if ever I did!” gasped Stephen. “Derette, you are a terrible child! I never saw your like.”
“I don’t know what I’ve done that’s terrible,” replied the child. “I’m sure Agnes won’t think it terrible to have that pretty gown to wear. What is terrible about it, Stephen?”
They had left the Castle a few yards behind, were over the drawbridge, and winding down the narrow descent, when a sharp call of “Ste-phen!” brought them to a standstill.
“Oh dear, that’s Cousin Anania!” exclaimed Derette. “Let me run on, Stephen, and you go back and see what she wants.”
“Nay, I must not do that, child. The Lady sent orders that I was to see you home. You’ll have to go back with me.”
“But she’ll worry so! She’ll want to know all about the gown, and then she’ll want it undone, and I’m sure she’ll mess it up—and Cumina folded it so smooth and nice:” urged Derette in a distressed tone.
“We won’t let her,” answered Stephen, quietly, as they came to the entrance gate. “Well, what’s up, Anania?”
“What’s Derette doing here? Who came with her? Where are you going?—and what’s in that fardel?”
“Oh, is that all you’re after? I’ll answer those questions when I come back. I’ve got to take Derette home just now.”
“You’ll answer them before you go an inch further, if you please. That child’s always in some mischief, and you aid and abet her a deal too often.”