“It will likely depend on how he is entertained, how long he stays,” said Mrs Snow. “I daresay he will be in no hurry to get home, for a day or two. And Rosie, my dear, you must help your sister to make it pleasant for your brother’s friend.”
“Oh! he’s no’ ill to please, as you said yourself,” answered Rose.
It was well that he was not, or her failure to do her part in the way of amusing him, might have sooner fallen under general notice. They walked down to the village in the afternoon, first to Mr Merle’s, and then to Mr Greenleaf’s. Here, Master Elliott at once took possession of Rose, and they went away together, and nothing more was seen of them, till tea had been waiting for some time. Then they came in, and Mr Perry came with them. He stayed to tea, of course, and made himself agreeable, as he always did, and when they went home, he said he would walk with them part of the way. He had most of the talk to himself, till they came to the foot of the hill, when he bade them, reluctantly, good-night. They were very quiet the rest of the way, and when they reached home, the sisters went up-stairs at once together, and though it was quite dark, neither of them seemed in a great hurry to go down again.
“Rose,” said Graeme, in a little, “where ever did you meet Mr Perry this afternoon? And why did you bring him to Mr Greenleaf’s with you?”
“I did not bring him to Mr Greenleaf’s. He came of his own free will. And I did not meet him anywhere. He followed us down past the mill. We were going for oak leaves. Elliott had seen some very pretty ones there, and I suppose Mr Perry had seen them, too. Are you coming down, Graeme?”
“In a little. Don’t wait for me, if you wish to go.”
“Oh! I am in no haste,” said Rose, sitting down by the window. “What are you going to say to me, Graeme?”
But if Graeme had anything to say, she decided not to say it then.
“I suppose we ought to go down.”
Rose followed her in silence. They found Mr and Mrs Snow alone.