im and better for us,' the man wound up gravely.

In the meantime Sarah had gone to meet her uncle, and invited him to come
motoring.

'Me! Nay, lass; I've other fish to fry. I'm not a millionaire like Mark,
able to go away and amuse myself all day.'

'Now, uncle, you know that's nonsense; you can get away far more easily
than father, because you are not in such a frightful hurry to get rich.
Besides, you can always stop your work to do an act of charity, and it is
a real act of charity to come with us to-day,' declared Sarah, tucking
her arm in her uncle's.

'Indeed! How's that? Is Tom Fox, the chauffeur, ill, and have I got to do
his work?' inquired Mr Howroyd.

'No; and if he were, one of the other chauffeurs could take his place.
You've got to come and sit beside me, so as to prevent any one else
sitting beside me, because you are the only one I can bear to have near
me,' explained Sarah.

'Upon my word, if I were not your old uncle I should feel quite
flattered,' said Mr Howroyd in a joking way; but he grew grave as he
added, 'But as it is, my lass, I'm sorry to hear you talk like that.
What's wrong with the others, eh?'

'I don't know that there's anything wrong with them. I think it's me that
there's something wrong with,' replied Sarah.

'But I don't understand. Didn't you tell me Miss Horatia was to be of the
party? What's gone crooked between you two?' he inquired.

'I don't know; at least, it sounds silly, but I can't bear her being such
friends with father. She seems to think everything he does and says all
right, and it isn't; it's all wrong, and I think it's horrid of her!'
said Sarah.

'Steady there, my lass. I don't think it's the place of children to
criticise their elders at all, and certainly not their fathers; and as
for this you tell me about Miss Horatia, why, what would you have her
do--abuse her host, and talk against him to his daughter?'

'You don't understand, Uncle Howroyd. Just you come for this picnic, and
then see if I am not right,' begged Sarah.

'I sha'n't think that; but I think I'll come, only I must go home and
change first, and give some orders for the men,' said her uncle.

'Then I'll come too. I feel as if I shall say something horrid to
somebody if I don't.'

'Then you'd best come along with me, for you'll be poor company for the
others in this mood;' and he took her back to Howroyd's Mill with him.

An hour later the five started for Fountains Abbey, with a hug