“Has the nightingale made a mistake?” asked Mr. Hammerton, as they were crossing to the gate.
“She only made one mistake. I wonder how many I can make if I do my best to make them.”
Dinah opened the gate; her father’s light streamed through the windows over the garden, down the path.
“Good night,” said Mr. Hammerton. “Oh, I just remember, what shall I do? I asked my cousin Mary to go to a lecture on Burns with me to-night, and I declare! I never thought of it until this minute.”
“Mary Sherwood will give it to you,” said Dinah. “I wonder what your wife will do with you.”
“A wife’s first duty is obedience,” he answered.
“I’d like to see the man I’d promise to obey,” said Dinah, quickly.
“I expect you would,” he said gravely.
Dine darted after him to box his ears, words being impotent, and Tessa went into the house. “I think I’ll pigeon-hole this day and then go to bed,” she said, a merry gleam crossing her eyes; “between my two walks on the planks to-day, I have lived half a lifetime. I hope Dr. Lake is asleep; I will never hurt Felix as he is hurt.”