“Yes, she is like no one else,” said Nesta.
But just as this moment, when they were both talking and wondering what the future would bring forth, and what golden hopes would be realised, and how many good resolutions carried into effect, there was seen crossing the lawn a stout little woman and a girl walking by her side. This person was no other than Mrs Griffiths, of Scarborough fame. Just for the moment Nesta held back. She had not seen Mrs Griffiths, and had not heard a single word from Flossie since the day she had left Scarborough. Mrs Griffiths had not even acknowledged the letter in which Nesta had returned the half-sovereign.
“Oh, there they come, and I don’t one bit want to meet them,” said Nesta to Penelope.
But Mrs Griffiths quickly waddled forward.
“Now, my dear Nesta, this is just wonderful. I am glad to see you again. Do you remember the shrimps and the wading, and how we bathed on a certain morning that shall be nameless?”
Nesta coloured and glanced at Penelope. Flossie, without taking any notice of Nesta, went straight up to Penelope.
“Well,” she said, “and how are you? What is all this fuss about? Why should you, who hoped to be a grand lady, go off to a dull German school? I am sure I should hate it.”
“I don’t,” said Penelope. “I like it very much.”
“Nesta,” said Mrs Griffiths, “just come along and have a walk with me all alone.”
Nesta was forced to comply.