“I haven’t learned yet how to do that,” commented Barnes.
“Do what?” she inquired, not recalling the former incident.
“Tie a bow-knot that will come untied when you wish.”
“Have you practiced?”
“No,” he admitted.
“Then?”
“I must still limit myself to tying such things as are my own.”
“That is wisest,” she agreed.
And without giving him time to base any embarrassing argument upon this, she led the way out of the little Dutch door. Here the Princess joined them. The big yellow cat had taken a fancy to Barnes of late and was to be seen quite as often in his company as in that of his mistress.
The girl forced a brisk path through the field-grass in as matter of fact a way as though in reality a fish for Aunt Philomela was the only thing in the world that concerned her. Lag as he might it did little good, and in no time they had reached the brook.