ted, then, "I--er--if it's a steep pull, I think I had
better stay where I am," he added, in cheery, decided tones, which
brought a flush of delight to Hilary's cheeks.

She turned in silence to follow her sisters, but before she had advanced
many steps, stood still hesitating and stammering--"I--I--the sun is
very hot. My head--"

"Well, don't come, dear, if you are afraid of head-ache. Stay where you
are," said her father kindly; and Miss Carr chimed in, in characteristic
fashion--

"But if you are going to chatter, be kind enough to move away to another
seat. I am not going to have my nap disturbed if I know it."

"Come along, Miss Hilary. Our pride won't allow us to stay after that!"
cried Mr Rayner, picking up his crutches and leading the way across the
lawn with suspicious alacrity; and no sooner were they seated on the
comfortable bench than he turned a smiling face upon his companion, and
wished to know if she were satisfied with the result of her lecture.

"Entirely," said Hilary. "It sounded brave and man-like, and put all at
their ease. It is always best to be honest."

"It is. I agree with you. What about the head?"

"What head?"

"Ah! and is _that_ honest? You know what I mean. Does it ache _very_
badly?"

"N-no! Not a bit! I stayed behind because I preferred to--to talk to
you," said Hilary stoutly, wishing she could prevent herself blushing in
such a ridiculous fashion, wishing Mr Rayner would not stare at her
quite so fixedly; happy, miserable, discomfited, triumphant, all at the
same moment, and in the most incomprehensible fashion.

"That's very satisfactory, because I like to talk to you also," he said
gravely; and the next two hours passed so quickly that it was quite a
shock to hear calls from the verandah, and to see the walking party
already assembled round the tea-table.

"What did you wish?" was Hilary's first question, but, with the
exception of the Mouse, everyone refused to divulge the secret.

"I wished I might have a doll's pramulator," said Geraldine gravely, and
when Miss Carr asked if the dolls were not able to take walking
exercise, she shook her head with pathetic remembrance.

"Mabel isn't, 'cause she's only one leg. She really had two, only one
day, Raymond hanged her up from the ceiling, and when I sawed her, I
cried, and pulled with my hands, and one leg earned off. So now I want
a pramulator."

"And she shall have one, bless her! and the best that ca