Chapter Nine.
Ned’s Mission.
On Thursday evening, Mr and Mrs Rendell returned home from their Continental trip. The house was spick and span, the girls were blooming in pretty evening dresses, and the travellers themselves looked immensely benefited by their holiday, so that the kissings and huggings of welcome were exchanged under the happiest conditions.
Nan was thankful to feel that no shade of displeasure lurked behind the tenderness of her mother’s greeting, and before the evening was over actually screwed up courage to put a question concerning the discovery of the scattered rice.
The explanation was disappointingly simple. Mr and Mrs Rendell exchanged a smiling glance, and appeared much amused by the girls’ discomfiture.
“Well, my dear, we had the carriage to ourselves as far as Dover, and your mother suggested in her thoughtful way that it would be wise to get some wraps ready, as it was often very cold on the pier. Obedient as ever, I unstrapped the bundle, and discovered your nice little plot. We lifted the cushions, poured all the loose rice on the seats, shook the cloaks out of the window, put down the cushions again, and had everything clear and tidy in ten minutes’ time! It was a nice little diversion, which came just as we had finished reading our papers. Most thoughtful of you to provide it for us!”
“And you had no stray pieces left? None that caught in your clothes, and shook out afterwards?”
“I had a cloth brush in my bag, and I used it well. I am sorry to distress you; but we were not once mistaken for Edwin and Angelina. It was a brilliant inspiration on your part, and I sympathise with your disappointment. I said at once, ‘This is Nan’s doing!’ and wished I was near, to pay you out for your audacity. I hope your other pranks afforded you more satisfaction. I expect you have been up to all manner of mischief while we were away!”
“I’ve been most industrious, father, and good, and docile. Ask Maud if I haven’t. I had a few accidents: they will occur, you know! Trays, for instance, jumping out of my hand, and smashing the glass. It’s a mercy I was not killed.”