“You funny darling!” she said. “Oh, we shall have such a day! You’ll be with your own Hetty all day long—your own Hetty; won’t you be glad?”
“Me am,” said Nan; “own Hetty, and own Annie; me am glad.”
Hester scarcely heard the last words, for the prayer-gong sounded, and she had to fly downstairs.
At dinner time the girls were discussing who would go with each, and all were very merry and full of fun.
“Miss Danesbury will take the little children,” said Miss Good. “Mrs Willis says that all the little ones are to be in Miss Danesbury’s charge.”
“Oh, please,” said Hester suddenly, “may Nan come with me, Miss Good? She’ll be so disappointed if she doesn’t, and I’ll take such care of her.”
Miss Good nodded a careless acquiescence, and Hester proceeded with her dinner, feeling thoroughly satisfied.
Immediately after dinner the girls flew to their rooms to prepare for their expedition. Hastily opening a drawer, Hester pulled out a white frock, white piqué pelisse, and washing hat for Nan—she meant her darling to look as charming as possible.
“Oh, dear, Miss Danesbury should have brought her here by now,” she said to herself impatiently, and then, hearing the crunching of carriage wheels on the drive, she flew to the bell and rang it.
In a few moments one of the maids appeared.