"
Dale, with the book in his hand, came out through the kitchen, and
stood by Mavis on the stone flags.
"Norah," he said seriously, "you must always be good, and do whatever
Mrs. Dale tells you."
"Yes, but that's just what she doesn't do;" and Mavis explained that,
in spite of repeated orders, Norah had several times gone mooning off
into the woods all by herself. "So now I'm reminding her, and asking
where she means to go this afternoon."
Norah, with her eyes on the flags, said that she would go to
Rodchurch.
"Very good," said Mavis. "Then now you've answered, you may go."
When Norah had disappeared round the corner of the house, Mavis
talked to her husband apologetically and confidentially.
"Will, dear, I'm sorry I disturbed you when you were reading;" and
glancing at the book in his hand, she felt ashamed of her recent
warmth. "I couldn't help blowing her up, and I'll tell you why." Then
she spoke of the necessity of keeping a sharp eye and a firm hand on a
girl of Norah's age and attractions; and she further mentioned her
suspicion, now almost entirely allayed, of some secret carryings-on.
"Oh, I don't think there's anything of that sort," said Dale. "No, I
may say I'm morally sure Norah isn't deceiving you there.
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