'No, thank you, Granny,' the little girl replied. 'I'd rather go out a walk with Ruth. I like best playing in the garden.'
'And you like Ruth, dear? She is kind to you, I am sure?'
'Yes, thank you, grandmamma. I like Ruth, and she likes playing in the garden best too.'
A sudden thought struck Lady Melicent. 'Flossie,' she said, 'will you run and fetch me the atlas which you will see lying on the side-table in the book-room. Your mother wants me to show you where they are now, on the map.'
Flossie hesitated. Lady Melicent and she were in the boudoir.
'In the book-room?' she repeated.
'Yes,' said her grandmother decidedly, 'in the book-room. Be quick, dear.'
Flossie went. But she was not quick, and when after some minutes she returned, she seemed rather out of breath.
'Why have you been so long? It doesn't take a minute to run down the passage,' said the old lady.
Flossie grew red.