'I do. I think it's most awfully kind of him, and I'm simply dying to know what his plan is,' cried Horatia.
'You look anything but dying,' said Sarah, with a glance at Horatia's bright, eager face.
'If you please, ma'am, the master has sent word that he'd be glad if the young ladies would come to the barn as soon as they've finished breakfast,' announced Sykes.
Both girls looked in surprise at this request—which, however, they both prepared to carry out; and Sarah remarked that Sykes looked quite excited for him.
'It's the plan! What on earth can it be, Sarah? What kind of place is the barn?'
'A huge, ugly, dark, long room,' said Sarah in disgust, for the barn was the last place to amuse one's self in.
'Oh, then, your father is having a magic-lantern show for us. Well, it's very kind of him,' said Horatia in rather disappointed tones, for she was not fond of a magic-lantern.
'We'd better drive there; it will be wet across the grass. Put on your 'ats an' take wraps wi' you in case you get 'ot, for the barn may be draughty,' said Mrs Clay.
'Are you coming, mother?' said Sarah.
'Yes, my dear, if you don't mind. I sha'n't interfere wi' your pleasure, an' I'd like to see the magic-lantern, too,' said Mrs. Clay quite gaily for her.