'But it is miles and miles from here to Chickaree!' said Miss Wych as she ran in.
The inconvenience of having two guardians is, that when you have got rid of one you have to face the other. And that other had to be faced at the dinner table to-day. It was well that the twelve miles' ride had not taken down Hazel's strength below the mischief point. Rollo, it must be remarked, had been obliged to gallop back again after very slight tarrying.
'Good evening, Miss Hazel,' said her elder guardian as he met her in the dining room. 'I think I have not seen you since this time yesterday.'
'A little later than this, sir. It was after dinner when we parted.'
'Quite so. Why did we not meet at breakfast? I was here. You were not.'
'No, sir. That seems to have been the reason.'
'Why were you not at home?'
'Well, sir, I was in charge of my other authority, and could not get home till he said the word.'
Mr. Falkirk surveyed his ward.
'Miss Hazel, your motions are usually determined by your own will, and by nothing else,in my experience.'