'Yes,' said Bridget suddenly, to every one's astonishment, 'if it was only Alie. But it would never do for me. I'd be too much for you and papa, mamma.'
She spoke quite gravely, but the others had hard work not to laugh.
'How do you mean, Biddy?' asked her father.
'I'm very tiresome to teach; often I'm very cross indeed,' replied the child complacently.
'But you need not be; you can help being so if you try,' said Mr. Vane.
'Well, I don't like trying, I suppose it's that,' she answered.
For the moment her father thought it wiser to say no more.
Mr. Redding happened to call that morning, and at luncheon Mrs. Vane told Alie and Bride that she was going to Seacove, and they might go with her.
Alie's eyes sparkled.
'Are you going to——' she began, and her mother seemed to understand her without any more words.