A char-a-banc will be at the door at half-past ten to-morrow, good
people. We will drive over to Grasmere and lunch at the Rothay. It is
convenient for the churchyard and the gingerbread shop, and there is a
good garden. We can lounge about in the afternoon, and get back in time
for a late dinner. There will be eight of us, and the char-a-banc holds
twelve, so we shall have plenty of room."

"Oh, father!--Rex and Edna! Do let us ask them! There is time to send
a letter to-night, and we could pick them up at the cross-roads. Oh,
father!"

"Oh, Norah! Certainly, my dear; ask your friends if you wish. I shall
be pleased to have them," said Mr Bertrand laughingly; and Norah rushed
off in delight to scribble her note of invitation.

When the char-a-banc came to the door the next morning, Hilary busied
herself looking after the storage of cloaks, cushions, camp-stools, and
various little etceteras which would add to the comfort of the
excursion. She looked a very attractive little mistress of the
ceremonies as she bustled about, with a sailor hat on her head and the
nattiest little brown shoes in the world peeping out from beneath the
crisp, white, pique skirts. Hilary was one of the fortunate people who
seemed to have been born tidy, and to have kept so ever since. The wind
which played havoc with Norah's locks never dared to take liberties with
her glossy coils; the nails which tore holes in other people's garments
politely refrained from touching hers; and she could walk through the
muddiest streets and come home without a speck upon boots or skirt.

Mr Rayner leant on his crutches and watched her active movements with
the wistful glance which was so often seen upon his face. Hilary knew
that for the thousandth time he was chafing at his own inability to
help, and made a point of consulting him on several matters by way of
proving that there were more ways than one in which he could be of
service.

"I don't know. In the front--in the back; put them where you like. Are
you going to sit beside me?" he replied hurriedly, and with an
undisguised eagerness which brought a flush of pleasure into the girl's
cheek.

"Oh, yes, I should like to!"

Hilary stood still in a little glow of exultation. The last few days
had been delightful with their experiences of lounging, driving, and
boating, but the coach-drive along the lovely roads, side by side with
Mr Rayner, able to point out each fresh beauty as it appe