[227]
]“Bunty’s beautifully well,” Nell said eagerly, as they went up to the house again. “You should just see him eat, Alan. And Pip is splendid; so is Meg, as you can see.”
Meg was standing on the front verandah, a troubled look in her eyes.
“Oh, there you are!” she said.
“Here we are,” said Nellie. She drooped her eyes guiltily. “Is the tea cold?”
But Meg did not answer her.
“I wish you’d come and look at Essie, Alan,” she said. “She’s been eating pastry, and it’s upset her, poor little thing. I don’t like her looks.”
“Does her head ache?” Nellie asked with dry lips.
“She says her head aches, her throat aches, and her legs ache,—everything aches,” was Meg’s answer. “Esther always gives her aconite if she’s out of sorts, Alan. I gave her five drops this morning: was that right?”
“Quite,” he said; “I’ll go up and look at her now.”
He went up the stairs behind Meg, a very grave look in his eyes.