friends had left for your picnic. So I walked over to join you. I hope I
am not in the way.'

'Of course not,' said Bessie. 'I'm afraid you'll find us hardly the kind
of company you are accustomed to; but if you will put up with our
roughness and noise we shall feel honoured.'

'We are going to get lunch ready,' said Blanche. 'You grown-ups will find
us under Evelyn's tree when you're hungry, and you'd better accommodate
yourselves to be hungry soon.'

'Or you may find a dearth of provisions,' interjected Reg. 'I feel in a
demolishing humour.'

The troop rushed off, leaving the three elder girls and Dr. Rylance
standing in the hall, listlessly contemplative of Sir Tristram's dinted
breast-plate, hacked by Roundhead pikes at Marston Moor.




CHAPTER V.


DR. RYLANCE ASSERTS HIMSELF.

The luncheon under Evelyn's tree took a cooler shade from Dr. Rylance's
presence than from the far-reaching branches of the cedar. His politeness
made the whole business different from what it would have been without
him.