The moon was rising slowly.
“There’s some one at the gate,” cried Willy.
“It’s for me,” said Alexina, starting up; “it’s Nelly and she’s hunting me.”
Later, Nelly, leading her across the street, was saying, “I don’t believe Miss Harriet is going to like it when she knows where you’ve been.”
“Why?”
But Nelly couldn’t say; “except that they’re the only ladies on the street not knowing each other,” she explained.
The two went in. Alexina dropped Nelly’s hand and walked into the parlour and across to Harriet’s knee. Austen sat reading on the other side of the table.
“I’ve been over to a boy’s house,” said Alexina; “his name is King William and their other name is Leroy.”
Harriet held the cambric strip of embroidery from her and viewed it. “Austen,” she asked, “is Alexina to play indiscriminately with the children on the square?”
Austen looked across at his sister. “It is within your authority to decide,” he returned, “but I know of no reason why she should not.”