“Oh, Miss Grandiere, excuse us, but yours was the only light we saw gleaming around the edges of the blinds, and so we knocked at your door,” said Wynnette, who always took the initiative in speaking, as in other things.
“My dear child! how is it that you children are out, after dark?” inquired the lady.
“We have been making the rounds to bid good-by to the neighbors. Mamma and papa went out yesterday, and we to-day. We are going to Washington next week, and we have come to bid you good-by now,” said Wynnette, still speaking for all the others.
“But who is with you for protection? Who drove the carriage?”
“Jake drove and Joshua came as bodyguard; but we are so late that I am afraid Mr. and Mrs. Elk and the girls are asleep.”
“They are, my dears; and it is so late that I do not think it right for you three children to be driving through the country with no better protection than Jake and the dog. You must send them home and stay all night here. Then you will have an opportunity of bidding good-by to William and Molly and the children to-morrow morning.”
“Oh, Miss Grandiere, how jolly! I have not spent a night from home for ages and ages and ages!” exclaimed Wynnette.
“But what will mamma say?” doubtfully inquired Elva.
“I fear, Miss Grandiere, that we ought to return home to-night,” suggested Odalite.
“Nonsense, my dear child! You must do nothing of the sort. I will write a note to your mother and send it by Jake,” replied Miss Grandiere, who immediately arose and went to get her portfolio.