“Especially mine,” sighed Judy.
“But I tell you what I will do!” exclaimed Ran with sudden inspiration. “I will confide the whole matter to Mr. Campbell, and take counsel with him.”
“The very thing! And, oh, Ran!” exclaimed Judy, catching inspiration in her turn, “might he not become our tutor? Give us an hour three or four times a week?”
Ran fell into thought, but did not reply.
“I have so often heard of clergymen taking pupils. Even taking them in their houses. But he need not do that. Could he not come to us or let us go to him a few times every week?”
“I declare, Judy, darling, that is a splendid idea of yours, and I will ask him, and if he should consent to do as we wish, why, then, we need not bother ourselves about going to London to hide ourselves and look for teachers!” exclaimed Ran in delight.
“And then there need be no gossip. No one need know what brings the rector to our library or takes us to his study,” concluded Judy.
“I will go and see Mr. Campbell at once,” exclaimed Ran, with boyish eagerness, as he sprang up, seized his hat from the ground and set off in a brisk walk for the rectory.
But he met the rector full tilt at the lodge gate, as Mr. Campbell was on his way to make a call at the house.
They both burst out laughing as they came into collision, and the minister took Ran’s arm, turned him about and walked with him back to the rustic seat where Judy sat.