She allowed an hour to slip by in these unprofitable and bitter reflections before she recollected her promise to the children, and rising, went out into the garden to join them. It caused her a shock of dismay to discover Mrs Carruthers sitting under the trees with them—a puzzled, perturbed Mrs Carruthers, fully informed by Pamela, the younger, of the governess’ mysterious disappearance. She looked up when Pamela came towards them, rose, and advanced to meet her.
“My dear,” she said, “you look worried. Whatever is this I’ve been hearing from Pamela? She tells me Blanche has gone.”
It was impossible, Pamela realised, to keep Mrs Carruthers in ignorance of obvious domestic events; but she would have preferred to delay talking over these disturbing matters until she was better prepared. It had not occurred to her, until confronted with the actual difficulty, that she would be called upon to discuss with any interested inquirer the mysterious details of the absconding of her children’s governess, which, in conjunction with Arnott’s unexpected departure on the same day, might very easily give rise to gossip. Arnott’s interest in the governess had aroused attention at Muizenberg, as Pamela was perfectly aware. She could only hope to avert scandal in regard to this event by the caution with which she explained it. So far as Mrs Carruthers was concerned she felt that she could rely upon her absolute discretion; she was the one woman she knew in whom she could have confided, had it been possible to confide in any one. But the nature of her trouble sealed her lips; it was too sordid and shameful a story to impart to other ears.
“Yes; she has gone,” she answered.
“But why?” demanded Mrs Carruthers, who felt, through having recommended Blanche, in a sense responsible for the girl.
“She ran away,” piped Pamela junior’s shrill treble.
“Go and play,” said Pamela. “Mummy wants to talk business.”
“But you said you’d come and play too,” the child protested.
“So I will presently. Run away now, like a good girlie.”
Mrs Carruthers drew a hand through Pamela’s arm and strolled with her along the path.