"He'll go all right that way," said Billy.
"But what about Gertrude and Mr. Greyburne?" said Denys as the little cavalcade turned back. Oh, how she wished Gertrude had been more amenable and had not broken up the party.
"I am sure I should not trouble about them," said Audrey walking on, "I don't know why Gertrude did not stay with her hostess!"
"Yes!" said Mrs. Henchman, too worried and annoyed to remember what she had said to make it easy for Gertrude, "that is just what I thought. Now, what is to be done? I am not going home by myself with this donkey for anybody."
Denys was ready to cry with vexation, and yet as Gertrude and Cecil had been told to wait at the cottage till they came, they could not be left there indefinitely. She ignored the remarks on Gertrude with what grace she could, and tried to make the best of the situation.
"We can all go back together," she said soothingly, "and then I must go and find Gertrude and tell her how unfortunate we have been."
"You could cycle," suggested Audrey, relenting a little.
Denys shook her head, "Gertrude has my bicycle," she said; "something has happened to hers. Oh, I can easily walk."
"Mine has gone wrong too," said Audrey. "Look here, mother, surely I am capable of taking you home. I've looked after you all these years without help! If Denys has got to walk she had far better go straight on."
"Whatever you like," said Mrs. Henchman wearily. "I shall be truly thankful to be safe back in my own bedroom. I shall have a heart attack, I know! Go on, boy, at once!"