rcase after that.

While Meg rested in the hammock Jan spent a strenuous morning in Guiting
Woods with the children and William. Late windflowers were still in
bloom, and early bluebells made lovely atmospheric patches under the
trees, just as though a bit of the sky had fallen, as in the oft-told
tale of "Cockie Lockie." There were primroses, too, and white violets,
so that there were many little bunches with exceedingly short stalks to
be arranged and tied up with the worsted provident Auntie Jan had
brought with her; finally they all sat down on a rug lined with
mackintosh, and little Fay demanded "Clipture."

"Clipture" was her form of "Scripture," which Auntie Jan "told" every
morning after breakfast to the children. Jan was a satisfactory
narrator, for the form of her stories never varied. The Bible stories
she told in the actual Bible words, and all children appreciate their
dramatic simplicity and directness.

That morning Joseph and his early adventures and the baby Moses were the
favourites, and when these had been followed by "The Three Bears" and
"Cock Robin," it was time to collect the bouquets and go home. And on
the way home they met Captain Middleton. William spied him afar off, and
dashed towards him with joyful, deep-toned barks. He was delighted to
see William, said he had grown and was in the pink of condition; and
then announced that he had already been to Wren's End and had seen Miss
Morton. There was something in the tone of this avowal that made Jan
think. It was shy, it was proud, it seemed to challenge Jan to find any
fault in his having done so, and it was supremely self-conscious. He
walked back with them to the Wren's End gate, and then came a moment of
trial for William.

He wanted to go with his master.

He wanted to stay with the children.

Captain Middleton settled it by shaking each offered paw and saying very
seriously: "You must stay and take care of the ladies, William. I trust
you." William looked wistfully after the tall figure that went down the
road with the queer, light, jumpetty tread of all men who ride much.

Then he trotted after Jan and the children and was exuberantly glad to
see Meg again.

She declared herself quite rested; heard that they had seen Captain
Middleton, and met unmoved the statement that he was coming to tea.

But she didn't look nearly so well rested as Jan had hoped she would.

After the children's dinner Meg went on duty, and Jan saw no more o