"It is an unhealthy district or I would. I do not think it would harm you, but I am afraid for Meryl." There was a slight pause, then he added, "As we returned to-day we stayed for a cup of tea at the mission station with Mr. and Mrs. Grenville. I happened to mention my journey, and Mrs. Grenville said she would be delighted if you would both go and spend the two or three days with her."
"But I want to come with you," Diana cried; and leaning towards him added confidently, "Uncle, you will have to take me; don't make a fuss."
"Why shall I have to take you?" with amusement in his small, keen eyes.
"Because I have made up my mind to go," was the prompt rejoinder; and he gave an amused chuckle.
"And what do you say, Meryl? Will you spend two or three days with Mrs. Grenville?"
"I should like to, if Di really wants to go; otherwise we could quite well have remained on here, couldn't we?" There was a note of anxiety in her voice that she was unable to entirely hide. Only three more days, and they to be spent several miles away!
"I do not particularly want to leave you here as long as that. I would rather you visited Mrs. Grenville, and I think it would be an interesting change. She invited you both."
"It was very kind of her," said Diana, "but I am quite decided about wanting to go with you. I suppose we could both come?"
"I think I would as soon go to Mrs. Grenville"; and Meryl sat very still, gazing at a distant star.
"What do you think?" said Mr. Pym to his engineer. "Will it be all right for my niece to accompany us?"