Mr. Dale had, of course, forgotten what he had promised his sister-in-law to do on the previous night. But Miss Tredgold had not the slightest idea of letting him off.
“Come, Henry,” she said; “we will go into the schoolroom to prayers.”
Accordingly they went, and Mr. Dale read prayers in his somewhat sleepy tones. The children, with the exception of Pauline, were all present. At last family worship was finished and the servants were allowed to leave the room. As nurse was going she looked at Verena.
“Miss Pauline is sleeping longer than usual,” she said. “She asked me a few days ago never to waken her, and said she would ring her bell when she wanted breakfast or hot water. I had better find out if she is awake.”
“Yes, do, nurse,” said Miss Tredgold briskly; “and ask her to be quick and come downstairs. I want all the children except little Marjorie to be present.”
“Oh, my dear Sophia!” said Mr. Dale at that moment, “you cannot expect me to wait here with all my morning’s work neglected while one of the girls chooses to dress herself.”
“Here’s a very interesting paper on Plato,” said Miss Tredgold suddenly, and as she spoke she handed Mr. Dale the last number of the Spectator. “I thought you might like to see it.”
“Eh? What?” he cried. “An article on Plato. By whom?”
“By the great classical scholar, Professor Mahaffy,” replied Miss Tredgold calmly.
Mr. Dale was in an intense state of excitement.