“Yes,” said Nancy gravely, “but the symbol testifies to the attainment.”
“What a serious subject for a little girl!” said the Captain.
Nancy’s eyes were full of tears.
“Sometimes it is rather hard for me,” she said, “but when you are here I can do almost anything.”
“Is it possible that that child can be cruel?” thought the Captain after she had left him. “It certainly seems inconceivable; and yet Jessie would not have put such a mark in the orderly-book for nothing. If there is a very capable, careful, and trustworthy person it is my sister-in-law. And she loves Nancy, too; she would not act so to her unless there were some very grave reason. Poor little girl, when did everything fail and the great crash come? She doesn’t look a bit like it.”
At early dinner the four girls and the Captain were, to all appearance, in the highest spirits; and soon afterwards they started on their expedition to the woods.
Augusta had now fully and absolutely made up her mind to obtain the Royal Cross, and for this reason she was determined to show to the utmost advantage in Captain Richmond’s eyes.
It was arranged they were to have their gipsy tea in a part of the pine-woods about two miles away from the house. This part was just above the seashore. The place of rendezvous was not only sheltered from the rays of the sun, but freshened by the sea-breezes.
The picnic basket was packed, and the kettle, spirit-lamp, &c. were put into another basket.
“Come,” said the Captain, seizing the heavy basket and striding forward; “you girls must take turns in carrying the edibles.”