She kissed him in warm gratitude and sped away to the landing, where she found her playmate still at work.
She told him her joyful news, exclaiming gleefully:
“We shall have a whole half-day holiday, for it is only just twelve o’clock, David Lindsay! We shall have, oh, such a happy, happy half-day!”
The boy quickly stopped his work and got his boat ready.
Then the children lifted the trunk of books between them and placed it in the skiff. Lastly they entered and seated themselves, and David took up the oars and rowed for the isle.
They found the old dame busily engaged in preparing her frugal early dinner of tea and bread and butter, with fried fish, boiled eggs, and peaches and milk.
She gave the little lady a warm welcome and divested her of her hat and mantle. And while Gloria explained that her uncle had given David Lindsay a half holiday, the dame added two more cups and saucers and teaspoons and two more plates and pairs of knives and forks to the table and put a few more eggs on to boil.
“I am going to school on Monday, Granny Lindsay, and I have come to take leave of you,” said little Glo’, when she took the seat that David had placed for her.
“Have ’ee, darling? I’m glad to see ’ee, and main glad to hear ’ee’s going to school,” cordially replied the dame.
“I don’t want to go, Granny Lindsay! I don’t want to leave you all,” sighed the child.