Miss Crilly went off in a spasm of laughter, while Polly continued.
“You two can share our beds, Lilith’s and mine; for we haven’t another extra one in the whole establishment. Mrs. Gresham says she is going to put up a new bungalow next summer, so we can have as much company as we want; this season we get along any way. We live out of doors mostly. Pumpelly Falls is another beautiful spot, and the drive is pretty, too. Then, there are some lovely tramps on our own mountains—oh, there’s no end to the places you must see! One week—why, it won’t be any time at all! You’ll have to stay two.”
They were called downstairs and invited to join a party bound for a little lake a mile or so away.
“It is worth going to see,” said Lilith.
“It’s awful lovely there!” piped up Clementina, who hung about hoping for an invitation.
Under cover of the laugh that followed the child’s remark Polly started for the stairs, fearful lest David would claim her for the ramble.
Mrs. Randolph was not far behind, and in the moment they were alone Polly whispered, “May I have your husband for the afternoon? I can’t go with David, and I’m so afraid he’ll ask me.”
“Of course,” returned Nita, “but I don’t understand. Is it as bad as that?”
“I don’t want to be alone with him—you will help me out, won’t you?”
“You poor child! You shan’t be a minute with him if you don’t want to be. I’ll stick to you like a burr!”