Mrs. Woodward gave a sigh of relief. It was an advantage sometimes to be seen through, especially when you were anxious to give a word of warning before that long ride with Jack in the Park, and you did not quite know how to set about it.
"On the 8th; that will suit your father nicely; he will have done his meetings by then. And you will like the change, won't you, darling?"
"Immensely, of course. Then we had better go round to Redfern's to-day and order tailor-made things; something that looks rough, you know, but isn't. I hate rough things, they make me feel creepy. Ah! there is Jack coming round the gardens. Good-bye, dearest."
She stooped to kiss her mother dutifully ere leaving, and Mrs. Woodward seized the opportunity.
"Good-bye, darling, and before you go, Alice, about Jack."
"What about Jack, mamma?"
"You might tell him--perhaps."
"What shall I tell him?" asked the girl, a trifle petulantly. "That we are going down to stay at Gleneira with the Macleods. That is really all there is to tell--as yet."
"I know that, my dear; still--still it would be better if Jack did not follow you about so much."
"Of course, it would be better, and I have told him so often; I will tell him again, if you like, so don't be anxious, you good, pretty little mamma. I am very fond of Jack--he is a dear fellow--but I don't intend to marry him. I see quite well how foolish it would be for us both."