"Well, call on me the day after to-morrow, and I shall have the draught at least ready."
When the two girls reached the flag-staff, their parents were not there. Jane was glad of this, for it precluded questioning as to the point whence they had arrived. As they stood waiting, large snow-flakes began to fall, and the wind was rising. But they had not to wait long before the gentlemen made their appearance, busily conversing, so busily, indeed, that when they had joined the girls, they walked away toward the railway station without concerning themselves to ask what had become of Mary and Thomas.
When they reached the railway station, Mr. Boxall became suddenly aware that two of their party were missing.
"Why, Jane, where's Mary? And where's Tom? Where did you leave them?"
"Somewhere about the pines. I thought they would have been back long ago."
The two fathers looked at each other, and each seeing that the other looked knowing, then first consented, as he thought, to look knowing himself.
"Well," said Mr. Worboise, "they're old enough to take care of themselves, I suppose. I vote we don't wait for them."
"Serve them right," said Mr. Boxall.
"Oh, don't, papa," interposed Jane.
"Well, Jane, will you stop for them?" said her father.