'She can't come.'
'Why not?'—a quick shower of laughter and dew-drops, called down by a fruitless spring after a spray of white roses.
'She lays abed,' said the child, after the shower was over.
'O, is she sick?' with a sudden gravity. 'Then I will come and see her. Where does she live?'
The child went away as soon as sure arrangements were made for the fulfilment of the promise. Wych Hazel's first visitor! one of the two classes sure to find her out with no delay. And Miss Kennedy was about as well versed in the one as in the other.
The summons came to her to attend the breakfast room. Mr. Falkirk was there, fixed in an easy chair and pamphlet; the morning stir had not reached him.
'How long do we remain at Chickaree?' he asked, as he buttered his muffin.
'Why, dear Mr. Falkirk, you might as well ask me how long gentlemen will wear their present becoming style of head- dress! I don't know.'
'I gather that it would not be safe to order post-horses for departure. The question remains: would it be safe to order other horses for the stable at home? One or the other thing it is absolutely necessary to do.'
'The other horses, sir, by all means. And especially my pony carriage.'