“Oh, then, if he’s not strong he won’t ever get Avonsyde,” returned Clementina. “How disappointed his mother will be. I thought Phil was very strong.”
“You know nothing about it,” said Rachel, getting redder and more angry. “You have no right to talk about our private affairs; they are nothing to you.”
“I only know what my mamma tells me,” said Clementina, “and I don’t choose to be lectured by you, Miss Rachel.”
Here Will and Dick came eagerly forward, squared their shoulders, and said:
“Go it, girls! Give it to her back, Rachel. She’s never happy except when she’s quarreling.”
A torrent of angry words was bubbling up to Rachel’s lips, but here Phil came panting up, holding a great spray of lovely scarlet berries in his hand.
“Here!” he said, presenting it to Clementina. “That is the very last, and I had to climb a good tall tree to get it. Let me twine it round your hat the way Gabrielle used to wear it. Here, just one twist—doesn’t it look jolly?”
The effect on Clementina’s dark brown beaver hat was magical, and the effect on her temper was even more soothing—she smiled and became good-tempered at once. Rachel’s angry words were never spoken, and sunshine being restored the children began to discuss their plans for the day.
Miss Griselda had given a certain amount of freedom to all the young folk, and under supervision—that is, in the company of Robert, the groom—they might visit any part of the forest not too far away. When the eager question was asked now, “What shall we do with ourselves?” Phil replied instantly, “Let’s go into the forest. Let’s visit Rufus’ Stone.”
Rachel’s eyes danced at this, and she looked eagerly and expectantly at her little cousin.