Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 2.djvu/105

Rh to leave," said Amanda, when at length they tore themselves away.

"I give up trying to sketch cathedrals. It can't be done, and seems impious to try," said Matilda, quite exhausted by something deeper than pleasure.

"I think the 'Reminiscences of a Rook' would make a capital story. They are long-lived birds, and could tell tales of the past that would entirely eclipse our modern rubbish," said Lavinia, taking a last look at the solemn towers, and the shadowy birds that had haunted them for ages.

The ladies agreed to be off early in the morning, that they might reach Amboise in time for the eleven o'clock breakfast. Amanda was to pay the bill, and to make certain inquiries at the office; Mat to fly out and do a trifle of shopping; while Lavinia packed up the bundles and mounted guard over them. They separated, but in half an hour all met again, not in their room according to agreement, but before the cathedral, which all had decided not to revisit on any account.

Matilda was there first, and as each of the others came stealing round the corner, she greeted them