e house must be placed at the
caller's service and had as promptly brought it. For a moment Miss
Tross-Kingdon still stood as if she would decline, till, seeing
the disappointment on her host's face, she accepted it with:

"Thank you. My errand could easily have been done without so troubling
you. I came to see if you have any more of that variety of apples that
you sent us last time. The _chef_ declares they are the finest yet.
Have you?"

"Yes, lady, I've got a few bar'ls left. Leastwise, my Dame has. She
can speak for hersel', if so be she wants to part with 'em. I heard
her say she meant to keep 'em for our own winter use. But--"

"That will do, John. Bring a pan from the further bin and show Miss
Tross-Kingdon. Maybe she'll like them just as well."

"All right, wife. I'll step-an'-fetch 'em to oncet."

So this obedient husband went out, his lame foot once more dragging
heavily behind him, and he managing as he departed to pass by Dorothy
and firmly clutch her sleeve, as he hoarsely whispered:

"Did you ever see the beat! In your mortal 'arthly life, did ye? Well,
I'm ashamed to the marrer of my bones to be caught cavortin' round
like the donkey I was. Come on down suller with me and I'll get
the apples. But carry 'em back--I shan't. Not this night. That
woman--lady, I mean--has got eyes like gimlets and the less she bores
'em into old John Gilpin the better he'll like it. Worst is, what'll
dame think? She won't say much. She's a rare silent woman, dame is,
but she can do a power of thinking. Oh! hum!"

So it happened that Dorothy returned to the kitchen, fairly staggering
under the weight of the biggest pan of apples that the farmer could
find. Mrs. Gilpin took them from her and showed them to the Lady
Principal, who was inwardly disappointed at the failure of her visit.
But the business was speedily concluded and, rising, she bade Mrs.
Gilpin good evening. The only notice she bestowed upon her runaway
pupils was to offer:

"If your visit is ended, young ladies, you may return to Oak Knowe in
my carriage."

Dorothy did not yet know how serious an offense she had committed and
merely thought that the Lady Principal was "stiffer" even than usual;
not once speaking again until the school was reached. Then, as she
moved away ignoring Winifred entirely, she bade Dorothy:

"Go to your dormitory, take a warm bath, and dress yourself freshly
all through. Your luggage has been unpacked and arranged in your
ward