nt. Lady Isobel bent down and kissed the curly
head.
'My little Bobby,' she said; 'how happy your father must be to have you
with him!'
They talked for some time, and then the children were told that they
were going to be driven round to the hotel where Lady Isobel was
staying, and have tea with her.
'I want you to know my great friend who has come all the way from India
just to see me married,' she said to Bobby with a laugh and blush. We
have often talked about you, so you must not feel her a stranger.'
It was a delightful afternoon, and True enjoyed it as much as Bobby.
Lady Isobel's friend was a sweet-faced grey-haired lady who was very
fond of children, and knew how to talk to them. They had tea in a
private sitting-room, and came home laden with chocolates and sweets.
'Margot, just listen! Bobby and I are going to be bride's-maid and
bride's-groom, and we shall walk up the church after the bride.'
'I'm sure Master Bobby won't be the bridegroom,' said Margot.
'No, she said a page,' corrected Bobby. 'What's that, Margot? I
thought it was a leaf of a book.'
'We shall be all in white,' said True.
'Like angels,' said Bobby.
And so they chattered on, the only regret being the absence of their
father.
The next day they had another excitement. They went to tea with Miss
Robsart.
For some time past they had looked forward to this, and truth to tell,
Miss Robsart was quite as eager as they were for the treat.
She called for them at four o'clock, and they walked to the house in
which she and her sister lodged. It was a quiet little street leading
out of Kensington High Street. She took them upstairs to a very pretty
sitting-room with three large windows in it, one of which was filled
with flowers and plants. By the fireside in an invalid chair was Miss
Robsart's sister. The children felt shy of her at first, but she had
such a bright smile and voice that they soon became at ease with her.
'I have heard so much about you from my little sister Daisy that I feel
I know you already. Do you wonder that I call her little? I am ten
years older than she is, and she always seems a little girl to me.'
'Now Kathleen, respect my office, and don't be giving me away to my
pupils. Bobby, show my sister your wonderful Nobbles, and tell her
about him while I get tea ready.'
True was looking with admiring eyes round the room. On the walls hung
numbers of beautiful water-colour sketches; there
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