“It is clearing,” said Mr Fortescue, “and the glass is going up. Yes—I think they may safely go.”
Chrissie’s face, which had been looking unusually solemn, brightened up. But it clouded again as her father went on, patting Jasper, who was seated next him, on the head—
“And this little man? Wouldn’t you like to escort your sisters to church, Jap?”
“In course I would. I’ll cally your numbrellas and your church-books—all of them, if you like.”
“Then that’s settled. Roley and I are going a good walk,” continued Mr Fortescue. “We need a breath of fresh air, after working so hard all the week, don’t we, my boy? And it will give Aunt Margaret and your mother a nice peaceful afternoon, which I am sure they will be glad of.”
“Let’s be ready early, Lell,” said Chrissie, when they were by themselves, “and then perhaps we could ask about it as we go in.”
“If only Japs wasn’t coming,” said Leila. “But if we had seemed not to want him, they’d have been vexed.”
“P’raps he won’t notice,” said Christabel.
For once they were ready in exceedingly good time—too early, in fact—so afraid were they of a sudden shower of rain, or any other unlucky event, stopping their going. As they ran downstairs their father, who had not yet started on his walk, called them into the drawing-room—the door was standing open, and thus he heard them passing.
“Children,” he said, “don’t try any short-cuts to church. Go as we went this morning. I particularly want you not to go by Peter’s Place—you know where I mean?—a street of small houses round the first corner from the church.”