to be blamed for doing so.
The two girls looked serious as they walked into the street again.
Somehow they felt aggrieved.

"If the rest haven't started, Magsie and Vi might take us behind them on
their bicycles," suggested Wendy dubiously. "Hodson's would know if
they've gone. They were to call for some parcels there."

It proved a forlorn hope. The girl behind the counter assured them that
a party on bicycles, wearing brown tam-o'-shanters, had come and claimed
their purchases, and ridden off up the street ringing their bells. The
next motor-omnibus would come through at seven. It was always crowded,
and no doubt would be particularly full to-night.

"There's nothing else for it, Di--we shall have to walk," said Wendy
blankly.

"Whew! It's a pretty good step."

"Six miles."

"Je-hoshaphat!"

"Well, it's no use waiting for the 'bus. We should never get places."

"Let's take that short cut that Stuart was talking about. She said it
saves two miles."

"What a brain wave! It's only a quarter past four. We'd be home long
before dark. You can walk four miles an hour, can't you?"

"Ra-ther!"

So they turned across the park, and up the hill to the white farm, and
through the fold-yard, and over the field, and along the lane on to the
open moor. They felt decidedly pleased with themselves, for it was far
nicer here than plodding along the high road. The ground was not so wet
as Stuart had prognosticated; indeed the path was quite firm and well
trodden, and in parts was even paved with stones. Spot, released from
his leash, careered about like a mad creature. Diana could not help
dancing a few steps, and Wendy, though she was growing hungry, stopped
grousing to admire the view. The sun, a red ball among grey masses of
mist, was sinking behind the fells, and a golden glow tipped the brown,
withered heather. The whole atmosphere seemed to reflect peace.
Overhead, little radiant clouds stretched themselves into the semblance
of angels' wings moving lightly across the evening sky. To watch them
was like gazing at the portals of a heavenly world.

The girls walked along as briskly as they could, but on the rough
moorland path it was impossible to keep the pace at four miles an hour.
They were going uphill, and, unless they went in single file, one of
them, owing to the narrowness of the track, was obliged to keep stepping
into the heather. At the top of the crest they dipped down again into a
high, narrow valley bet