“We did not need a carriage,” she said. “Or, if we did, we could easily have gotten one. Cousin Percy need not have troubled.”
“John offered to come for you,” said Daniel. “So did I. We'd have both come, but you wouldn't have us. Wouldn't accept our invitation, would they, John? Gave us to understand they didn't like our company.”
“Cousin Percy did not wait for an invitation,” explained Serena. “He just came. He is so thoughtful.”
Gertrude looked annoyed. She had been regarding Mr. Doane.
“Mother,” she said sharply, “don't be silly. We did not ask for an escort and we didn't need one. The whole thing was quite unnecessary and unexpected. Come, Mother, do take off your things. Oh, I'm so glad to get home.”
The ladies retired to remove their wraps. John made a move to go to their assistance, but Mr. Hungerford, attentive as usual, got ahead of him.
“Well, Daddy dear,” said Gertrude, as they re-entered, “what have you and John been doing while we were away? I suppose you've had a long talk?”
Daniel colored. He looked at Mr. Doane, who, in spite of himself, colored also, and was tremendously annoyed because he did so.
“Yes,” said the captain hastily. “Yes, we talked. We talked, didn't we, John?”
“We did,” affirmed John.