“No, indeed,” exclaimed Winfried eagerly.
Miss Hortensia smiled at him.
“I am not afraid,” she said. “Tell your grandfather the young ladies shall certainly go to see him some day soon.”
“To-morrow,” said Mavis, speaking almost for the first time. “Oh, do say we may go to-morrow—it’s our half-holiday.”
“Very well,” said Miss Hortensia. “Are you sure you can find your way? I can send Ulrica with you.”
“Mayn’t I come to fetch the young ladies?” asked Winfried. “I know all the short cuts.”
“I should think you did,” laughed Ruby. “We told cousin Hortensia all about that queer path through the rocks. She’d never seen it either.”
“I’ll take you quite as nice a way to-morrow,” said the boy composedly. “May I go now, please?” he added, turning to Miss Hortensia. “Grandfather may be wanting me, and thank you very much;” and in another moment he was gone.
Miss Hortensia was quite silent for a minute or two after he had left the room.
“Cousin,” began Ruby; but her cousin did not seem to hear. “Cousin,” repeated the child impatiently.