“No, that was the same,” she said, finally. “I tried to save you, but you would come back. I’ve enjoyed your visit very much, but it’s against our rules to act kindly to visiting parents, and if I do I’ll be expelled.”
“I suppose you’d like me to leave to-night?”—sarcastically.
“No, but get off as soon as you can in the morning, and let me manage things to-night.”
The Benjamins joined them at this point, so conversation became general. Isabelle withdrew into her own mind, to think ahead how to avert the next crisis. When the girls came down for the hour of relaxation, there would be more embarrassment, unless she could manage. She strolled to the window and looked out.
There was a brilliant full moon, showering its largesse over the hills. They looked so calm, so remote—why did humans introduce such problems into the scheme of things? questioned Isabelle precociously. But the view gave her an idea.
“Mrs. Benjamin,” she cried, “might we have a moonlight tramp and show my father some of our walks?”
“Would thy father like that? We often go for a walk in the moonlight, Mr. Bryce. The girls like it before they go to bed. Would thee enjoy it?”
Isabelle fixed him with a stern eye, and nodded.
“Why, yes, I think that would be nice,” said Wally, who hated walking.
When the girls came down they silently accepted the plan. They put on their sweaters and boots, as the spring was young and the ground soft. Mrs. Benjamin marvelled at their restraint, but laid it to their commendable desire to appear well before their guest. Two by two they marched dumbly behind the Benjamins and the Bryces. Up hill and down they went. Isabelle felt their eyes like javelins in her back, even while she kept up a lively stream of conversation.