"You know there are beautiful toys to be had in London, and I did think of bringing you some, but, then, I thought that out here in the country, with so many trees and flowers to play with, it would be like bringing coals to Newcastle."
They understood that she had brought nothing. Mick and Jane looked relieved, but Honeybird's eyes filled with tears. "Niver a wee dawl?" she said.
"What does she mean?" said Aunt Charlotte. "Oh, a little doll; the child speaks like a peasant."
No one answered. Honeybird's tears dropped into her lap. Fly passed her a ripened gooseberry under the table.
After breakfast Aunt Charlotte said they must show her the gardens and the stable. They had meant to go out bathing, and stay away all day; but there was no escaping from her, so they started off, to the stables first.
Aunt Charlotte shook her head over everything.
"Disgraceful neglect," they heard her say.
"We'll soon make it grand when our ship comes in," said Jane.
"What a strange expression," said Aunt Charlotte. "And, pray, when will that be?"
"God knows, for I don't," said Honeybird, repeating what Andy Graham always said when they asked him that question.