"Whatever's got into the child's head?" cried Miss Ruth, swept off her feet.
"Come!" insisted Marjolaine. "Quick! Come, and tell Barbara I want her."
"What do you want her for?" asked Miss Ruth, struggling.
"I must n't tell you yet, she may refuse."
"Bless us and save us!" cried Miss Ruth, now on her feet, and struck by the change in Marjolaine's appearance, "now your cheeks are glowing again!"
"Maman said they would!" laughed Marjolaine. Positively, for the moment she had forgotten her sorrows. "Come along!"
"Wait! My mouth 's full of pins!"
Seeing the two ladies under the tree, Sir Peter Antrobus had come out, anxious for a little conversation. He was much disappointed when he observed they were leaving the lawn.
"Going in, just as I'm coming out?" said he, reproachfully.
"Yes," laughed Marjolaine on the top step, and looking up at the threatening sky, "like the little people in the weather cottages: you come out for the rain; and I go in for the sunshine." Which, of course was extremely inaccurate, but the correct statement would have spoiled her meaning entirely.