But all this did not prevent the young people from having a very pleasant afternoon together. The boat came back after “a reasonable time,” and then the others went for a sail, and David acknowledged that Mr Philip was in earnest about his rowing, at any rate, and permitted himself to admire his activity and skill. When the boat was brought in among the willows again, it was almost dark.
“Suppose we leave it here?” said Frank. “It will be quite safe, and we can send for it on Monday.”
“It would not be a bad place to leave it here altogether,” said his brother.
Jem was delighted with the idea, and said so; but David gave his mother a doubtful look.
“Come in to tea,” said she, “and you can decide about it afterwards.”
The Oswalds had not dined, but they did not refuse the invitation, as, for a single minute, Violet hoped they might. The simple arrangements of her mother’s table were not at all like those which Miss Oswald considered necessary in her father’s house, but they were faultless in their way, and Violet was ashamed of her shame almost as soon as she was conscious of it.
“Aunt Mary,” said Frank, after they were seated at the table, “won’t you ask me to spend the afternoon here to-morrow? I like your Sundays.”
Mrs Inglis did not answer for a moment, but Jem answered for her.
“All right, Frank! Come straight from church. Your father will let you, won’t he?”
“If Aunt Mary were to ask me, he would. I am not sure, otherwise,” said Frank. “What do you say, Aunt Mary?”