CHAPTER XXIV
ROSALIND FERNE
BENEDICTA’s tardy presence was briefly apologized for.
“Work’s more necessary ’n party suppers,” she said succinctly.
“I saw yer peekin’ through the trees!” piped up Grissel.
A pink flush on Benedicta’s cheek was the only response, and Polly quickly filled up the break with a laughable little nothing which turned the children’s attention away from the housekeeper.
Benedicta did more than her share of wheeling the children home, as if to make amends for her afternoon’s neglect. When the patients were abed she stole out to the veranda where Polly was sitting.
“Come for a little walk!” she said. “Don’t you want to?”
They went silently down the steps arm in arm.
“I guess you thought it was queer,” she began, “leavin’ you so sudden; but that kid was there! How’d she come to be up here on the hill, anyhow?”