The children looked at her, not quite understanding. Bessie explained:
“I want Aaron to go up to Mr. Winter’s with a message, and I thought you would like to go too, Miss Loveday.”
“I’d love to!” cried Loveday, who had been longing ever since she came to Porthcallis to go up the cliff-path to the very top, mounting the little steps, and holding on by the little rail. “When shall we go? Now?”
“Finish your dinner first, and sit still for a bit; then I will tidy you both, for Mr. Winter’s housekeeper, Mrs. Tucker, is a very noticing body.”
After the meal was over, and Aaron had said grace, and they had with great difficulty kept quiet for a little while, Bessie began to tidy them. Aaron, beyond having a good wash and his hair brushed, had only a clean holland tunic put on, but Loveday was anxious to make more of a toilette.
“Don’t you think,” she said, “that I had better put on this?” dragging out from the drawer a pretty little frock of white silk muslin with blue harebells all over it.
“Oh no,” said Bessie; “one of your little cotton over-alls will be much the best.”
Loveday looked disappointed and doubtful; in her heart she felt sure that Bessie did not know what was correct.
“But if Mr. Winter was to see me——”
“Oh dear, you needn’t trouble about Mr. Winter; he keeps well out of the way if there is anybody about; but if he did happen to see you, he wouldn’t know whether you’d got on silk or cotton, or blue or yellow.”