“But,” said the farmer, “missie, you surely ain’t going to get over that big fence the same way as you come here?”
“And what else should I do?” said Betty.
“’Taint to be done, miss. There’s a drop at our side which makes the fence ever so much higher, and how you didn’t hurt yourself is little less than a miracle to me. I’ll have the horse put to the cart and drive you round to the front entrance in a jiffy. Dan and Beersheba can follow, the run’ll do them no end of good.”
“Yes, missie, you really must let my husband do what he wishes,” said Mrs. Miles.
“Thank you,” said Betty in a quiet voice. Then she added, looking up into Mrs. Miles’s face, “I love Mrs. Haddo very much, and there is one girl at the school whom I love. I think I shall love you too, for I think you have understanding. And when I come to see you next—for of course Mrs. Haddo will give me leave—I will tell you about Scotland, and the heather, and the fairies that live in the heather-bells; and I will tell you about our little gray stone house, and about Donald Macfarlane and Jean Macfarlane. Oh, you will love to hear! You are something like them, except that unfortunately you are English.”
“Don’t put that agen me,” said Mrs. Miles, “for I wouldn’t be nothing else if you was to pay me fifty pounds down. There, now, I can’t speak squarer than that!”
Just at that moment the farmer’s voice was heard announcing that the trap was ready. Betty hugged Mrs. Miles, and was followed out of the farm-kitchen by the excited dogs.
The next minute they were driving in the direction of the Court, and Betty was put down just outside the heavy wrought-iron gates. “Good-bye, Farmer Miles,” she said, “and take my best thanks. I am coming again to see those darling dogs. Good-bye, dears, good-bye.”
She pressed a kiss on each very rough forehead, passed through the little postern door, heard the dogs whining behind her, did not dare to look back, and ran as fast as she could to the house. She was quite late for the midday dinner; and the first person she met was Miss Symes, who came up to her in a state of great excitement. “Why, Betty!” she said, “where have you been? We have all been terribly anxious about you.”