"Oh, it's just the afternoon for a drive. But I was going back to sit with mamma, who has been alone all day."
"I sent up to Mrs. Varian's room to see if there were any chance that she would go with us, and Goneril came creeping out on tiptoe to say she had just fallen asleep, and must not be disturbed."
The last hope was extinguished; she made just one more cowardly attempt. "But you," she said, "are you well enough? Isn't it rather against the doctor's orders?"
"No, he gave me permission himself this morning, finding me very much improved."
Then Missy said to herself, "I should think the man could see—" And aloud she said, "Oh, there is nothing in the way. I'll go to the house for my gloves and vail."
When she came back the open wagon stood before the gate of the cottage. Jay was already in it, brandishing the whip and shouting, much to Michael's displeasure, who stood by the horses' heads. Mr. Andrews was coming from the house. Gabby stood behind a post of the piazza, showing a face lead-color with sullenness and disappointment. She had no hat on, and was evidently not to be of the party.
"Isn't Gabby going?" said Missy to Jay.
"No," cried Jay, in selfish satisfaction, "Papa says there isn't room."
"Poor Gabby! why, that won't do," she said, going to meet Mr. Andrews in the path. "Won't you take Gabrielle?" she said. "There is plenty of room for the two children with me on the back seat."
Miss Rothermel enjoyed being magnanimous so much, Mr. Andrews hadn't the heart to refuse her.