At this moment a little lad touched her hand.
"Please will you take this umbrella," he said shyly.
"Thank you so much," she answered, with a smile radiating her beautiful face, which smile so subjugated Frank Rose, whose umbrella it was, that he was her humble admirer from thenceforth. "I will return it this afternoon, if you will tell me where I can send it," she said graciously.
"To The Gables," answered Frank, flushing a little as he spoke.
The lady's manner stiffened, but as she could not well decline the proffered loan, she merely repeated her thanks, and prepared to make the best of her way homewards.
Whilst waiting in the porch, Gwennie found an opportunity to whisper a few words to Ronnie.
"I can't come out this afternoon, 'cause of the rain. Will you show me about the donkey next Sunday instead?"
"Yes, p'raps," said Ronnie, who with Hugh's eyes upon him felt it incumbent not to be too friendly.
"I liked the text this morning," went on Gwennie unabashed, "'bout loving your enemies, didn't you?"
"Didn't notice it much," answered Ronnie, with more indifference in his tone than veracity.