“Of course you may, dears,” said Mrs. Cardew at once. “We intended motoring, but we can do that another day.” 37
Mr. Cardew looked dubious for a moment. Then he said, “All right, only you must not be out too late. I’ll send the pony-trap down to the rectory for you at half-past eight o’clock.”
“Oh, but, father,” said Merry, “we can walk home.”
“No dear; I will send the little carriage. Now, go and enjoy yourself, my child.”
He looked at her with great affection, and she felt herself reddening. Had she hurt that most dear father after all? Oh! no school that ever existed was worth that.
CHAPTER VII.
DISCONTENT.
On that special afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cardew happened to be alone. The girls had gone down to the rectory. This was not Mrs. Cardew’s At Home day, and she therefore did not expect any visitors. She was a little tired after her long drive to Warwick, and was glad when her husband suggested that they should go out and have tea all alone together under one of the wide-spreading elm-trees.