"I see in the hall, Ann," he said, "a letter for George Grey--I will mail
it. When does he come?"
"I do not know."
"John," he said, "you will oblige me by riding to the mill and asking Dr.
McGregor to come to Westways and see old Josiah. Of course, he will
charge it to me." The Squire was a little ashamed of this indirect
confession of retreat.
John looked up, hesitated a moment, and said, "What horse, sir?"
"Dixy, of course."
"Another cup, James," said Mrs. Ann tranquilly amused.
John rose, went around the table to his uncle, and said in his finest
manner, "I am greatly obliged, sir."
"Oh, nonsense! He's rather fresh, take care."
Then Leila said, "It's very hot, Uncle Jim."
"You small fiend," said Penhallow. "Hot! On your way, John, tell those
rascals at Westways they may use the pond." The faint smile on Ann
Penhallow's face somehow set the whole business in an agreeably humorous
light. The Squire broke into the relief of laughter and rose saying, "Get
out of this, all of you, if you want to keep your scalps."
John went to the stable not quite pleased. He had felt that his
punishment for a boy-frolic and the unexpected results of Billy's alarm
had been pretty large. His aunt had not said so to him, but had made it
clear to her husband that the penalty was quite disproportioned to the
size of the offence; a remark which had made him the more resolute not to
disturb the course of justice; and now this chit of a girl had made him
seem like an irresolute fool, and he would have to explain to Rivers, who
would laugh.
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