'No fear,' said Justin amiably. 'Bob and I aren't made of sugar or salt, are we, Bob? I'll come in for a minute, thank you, Nance, but we mustn't be long, or we'll have no fun. It gets so soon dark now, and papa's vexed if we don't all go home together.'
'To be sure,' said the old woman, 'and quite right too. You'll never find me wanting you to do anything your dear papa and mamma wouldn't like, my dears.'
So saying she led the way into her quaint little kitchen, all tidied up and bright as the children always found it—the cakes and a large jug of milk set out as before on a small table near the pleasantly glowing fire.
'Are you coming with Bob and me, Archie?' Justin inquired. 'Pat's a donkey—no use asking him.'
Pat took this uncomplimentary speech very calmly. Archie hesitated.
'Come along,' said Justin, 'that's to say if you're coming,' for having made away with at least three of the tempting little cakes, he was now in a hurry to be off.
'Don't go, Archie,' said Rosamond, speaking low, so that the elder boys could not hear, and her words decided Archie.
'I'd rather stay here, thank you, Jus,' he said. 'You've got Bob, so you don't really need me.'
'You are a softy,' said Justin as he ran off, but Archie, backed by Pat and Rosamond, did not care.
'Now, Nance,' said Pat, when most of the cakes and milk were disposed of, 'we're ready for your stories.'