The drive took some time, and the farmer and his party were extremely loud and riotous and merry. As they passed under the huge oak-trees some one in a dogcart went by, and the light from a lantern fell on his face. Pauline recognized Dr. Moffat. The moment she saw him he looked round, and she fancied that he must have seen her, and that his eyebrows went up with an expression of astonishment. But he did not look again; he only continued on his way.
“I do hope he didn’t see me,” said Pauline to Nancy.
“What matter if he did? He’s thinking of his profession, and not of a little girl like you. I wonder where he is going to.”
“To Farmer Jackson,” said Farmer King. “He broke his leg a fortnight ago, and they say mortification is setting in and he can’t live. Poor Farmer Jackson! Here are we all on a rollick, so to speak, a midnight picnic in summer, and all our hearts as light as froth, and the farmer lying on the flat of his back and like to pass away before morning.”
Pauline felt uncomfortable. She turned her head away. She did not wish to think of the sober events of life at that moment.
By-and-by the long drive came to an end. The girls again put on their wet slippers, and the next moment they found themselves inside a large marquee, with a boarded floor, where a magnificent feast was prepared at the farther end. The whole centre of the marquee was got ready for dancing, and a number of young people whom Pauline had never seen before were standing about in little knots, evidently waiting for the arrival of the farmer and his family.
“There!” said Nancy. “Now, Paulie, what do you think? Here’s feasting for you at this end, and there’s dancing at the other, and if the Kings don’t do things in style I don’t know who do.”
“Ah, Miss King, and how are you?”
“Pleased to see you, I’m sure,” was Nancy’s response.
A bashful-looking young man with sandy hair and light-blue eyes now came forward. He was followed by a girl of similar type, and the two were introduced to Pauline as Mr. and Miss Minchin. The Minchins were accompanied by other neighbors, and the Dale girls found themselves in the midst of a party numbering at least fifty people.