imploring, enticing smiles to Wilfred, who had fallen a little back,
while Paula had decidedly drawn away.

None of them had seen Magdalen and Mysie till they were round the low
stone wall and close upon them. There was a general start, and Vera
exclaimed, "We haven't been outside! No, we haven't! And it is not
the Rockquay Road either, sister! I only wanted a run down that lane
up above."

Wilfred laughed a little oddly. It was quite plain that he had been
withstanding the temptress, only how long would the resistance have
lasted?

Downright Mysie exclaimed, "It would have been a great shame if you
had, and I am glad Wilfred hindered you."

"Thank you," said Magdalen, smiling to him. "You know better than my
sisters what Devon lanes and pneumatic tyres are!"

Perhaps Wilfred was a little vexed, though he had resisted, for he
was ready to agree with Mysie that they could not stay and drink tea.

But he did not escape his sister's displeasure, for Mysie began at
once, "How lucky it was that we came in time. I do believe that
naughty little thing was just going to talk you over into doing what
her sister had forbidden."

"A savage, old, selfish bear. It was only the lane."

"Full of crystals as sharp as needles, enough to cut any tyre in