The tea was a merry one—once only Ellice tried to be disobedient. To her utter surprise Bob said sharply: "Shut up, and do what you are told, and don't worry Miss Woodford."
Sheer astonishment held Ellice silent. It looked as if her best supporter was quite going over to the enemy!
From her bedroom window Mrs. Medhurst watched the trio, when they started out to the woods, with an air of surprise.
"Do look, Gordon!" she exclaimed; "Miss Woodford has gone down the drive with Ellice, and Bob has actually gone with them."
Mr. Medhurst rose from his seat and looked over his wife's shoulder.
"I think I can congratulate you on your choice of a governess this time, Lucille; it really looks as if she'll stay"—and he laughed as he spoke. "Perhaps our youngsters are not much worse than other people's after all," he continued. "You spoil Bob, and I suppose we both spoil Ellice; let's hope Miss Woodford will counteract the mischief."
"Oh, you are always hard on Bob, Gordon! I can't think why."
"Hard, am I? There seems a good deal of necessity, I think; but there, I confess I don't understand boys."
"I wish I was strong; I would love to have taken them out with me like that," said Mrs. Medhurst; she spoke wistfully, with a far-away look of unrest in her dark eyes.
"You might do a little more. You could if you tried, don't you think?"