“He did not know what nice people the Gourlay people are, or he would have been,” said Jem.
“I expect so,” said Miss Bethia. “It ain’t too late to go yet.”
“Thank you, Miss Barnes. I shall be happy to accept your kind invitation,” said Philip.
In the meantime, Violet had been telling her mother of Mr Oswald’s proposal. It was a matter of too great importance to be dismissed with a single word of refusal, as Violet would have liked, and time must be taken to consider it.
“Violet is not going with you, Mr Philip,” said Jessie. “She is going to stay and take tea with Miss Bethia.”
“I am sorry you should have had the trouble of coming round this way for nothing, Mr Philip,” said Mrs Inglis. “We want Violet a little while to-night. Miss Barnes does not know how soon she may go, and Violet thinks she can be spared to-night, perhaps.”
“Of course, she can be spared. And it was no trouble, but a pleasure, to come round. Shall I come back again?”
“Pray, do not. Jem will go with me. I shall like the walk.”
“All right!” said Jem. “I consider myself responsible for her. She will be up there at the proper time.”
“All right!” said Philip cheerfully. “Aunt Mary, you might ask me to have tea too.”