“But Joshua told us—he did, indeed! You forgot to untie him when you started, Odalite, and he set up such a howl of anguish and despair that I had to run out to see what was the matter with him,” said Elva.
“And I had to follow, and I found him telling Elf such a tragic tale of how you and Le had gone off and left him tied up, without even looking behind to bid him good-by, that his heart was quite broken, and he had been trying to hang himself on his own chain ever since!” added Wynnette.
“So, you see, I unchained him. But, do you know, he wouldn’t go without us? He kept running on a little way and then running back and begging and praying of us to come so hard that at last Wynnette and I went in and put our bonnets and coats and came after you,” said Elva.
“Joshua knew you were going to Greenbushes, and he wanted to go with you. So did we when he told us where you were gone. You don’t deserve such devotion; but you have got it anyway,” concluded Wynnette.
It seemed rather hard that the children should interrupt the tête-à-tête of lovers who had come out of the house to saunter through the woods on purpose to be alone, and who were so soon to be separated for so long a time; but Leonidas and Odalite took the matter in perfectly good humor, and the four walked on amiably together.
They reached Greenbushes in good time, and had a treat of sweet cider, gingerbread and Indian walnuts from Aunt Molly.
And after a good rest they set out to return to Mondreer, where they arrived in time for dinner.
In the meanwhile Mrs. Force was subjected to another interview. Leonidas and Odalite had scarcely left the house, and Mrs. Force had scarcely settled down to her embroidery, when there came a gentle tap at the door.
“Come in,” said Mrs. Force.
Miss Meeke entered, her pretty, pale face slightly flushed, her usually quiet demeanor somewhat disturbed.