Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/81

82 have a cup with us and tell us some more about the herb book."

It was not a merry tea-party, because Mr. Simmons was not yet wholly at his ease with his new friends, but it was a pleasant one, and when it was over Lucilla volunteered to show their guest round the garden.

"I don't know," he said, "as I like anything better than what I do a bit of garden."

Jane, left alone, put as much order as she could into the room, and was just beginning to think that the others were a long time gone when a shadow darkened the doorway. She looked up, expecting Mr. Simmons and Lucilla. But it was not Lucilla and Mr. Simmons. It was the "kind-faced viper," as Jane had called him. It was the young man who had carried her down when her foot was hurt and had got wine and a carriage for her, had promised secrecy and had then betrayed her trust.

"Good afternoon," he said. "I hope your foot is quite well again." Just like that—as though nothing had happened and he and she were the best of friends.

There was a very small silence. Jane, very white and with thunder on her brow, stood looking at him. Then she spoke.

"I wish you to understand," she said, "that we wish to have nothing more whatever to do with you. We decline the honour of your acquaintance," she insisted, so that there should be no doubt about the matter. And her pointed chin went up as she said it.

He stood looking at her, overwhelmed.

"Oh, I say!" were the only words he found ready for use.

And before either of them could speak again Lucilla and Simmons were standing beside him on the mossy path, and the young man and Simmons were shaking hands with violence, and Simmons was saying, "Oh, sir, to think of meeting you like this, sir! Oh, miss—oh, young ladies! What a day to be sure! This gentleman's my boss, that I was all through