"Yes, I know, Bet;" and then her father kissed her a little gravely, and held out his hand to Waveney.
"I am very grateful to you, Miss Ward. My brother has been telling me of your kindness to my little girl; she has been a very naughty child, I am afraid." Then Bet looked up in his face, and her lip quivered.
"Was it really bad of me to go out and meet you, dad?—really and truly?"
"Yes, darling, really and truly." And then Tristram took her on his knee. "What would dad have done without his little Betty?—and she might have been lost or run over."
"Oh, I would have found my way back," returned Bet, with a wise little nod of her head. "But I won't never do it again." And then her little arms went round his neck, and she rested her head against the rough grey coat; for her childish heart was full to the brim. "Miss Ward," observed Thorold, in rather a pleading voice, "as my sister is absent, may I ask you to pour out the tea." Then Waveney, blushing a little at the unexpected request, took her place quietly at the tea-tray.
CHAPTER XXV.
A WET NIGHT, AND A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
"I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!"
Merchant of Venice.
"Beggar I am, I am even poor in thanks."
Hamlet.