“We thought of trying to get as far as the other side of the Goblin’s Heath,” said Jack.
“Oh, you’ll never be able to do that before nightfall!” the girl exclaimed. “It’s a very big Heath. I wonder—would you care to stay at our house to-night? Mother and I would be only too proud to have you, if you’d care....”
“It’s very good of you,” said Molly. “Perhaps——”
“Well, wait until you see mother, if you’d prefer that,” said the girl. “Wait until you see our house. I know I shouldn’t care to promise to stay with anyone until I’d seen where they lived. In a strange country too.”
She had added this, seeing that Jack and Molly hesitated. But they were more than half-persuaded, because she spoke so reasonably and frankly.
They continued to search the Third Green Lane thoroughly; the afternoon wore on, and the shadows of eventide began to fall.
Presently the girl said, “We are near the end of the lane now. Round the next turning you will see my house.”
So far the search had been in vain, and Jack and Molly were beginning to feel very tired, as the lane had been long and difficult.
“We must have been two hours searching this lane,” said Molly. “Will your mother be getting anxious about you?”
The girl shook her head. “And she won’t even be cross when she sees that I’ve brought visitors home with me. You will come in, won’t you?” she asked, “and we can all have tea together.”