“Perhaps he will not think it necessary for me to tell everything,” thought the child. “Anyhow, I know he will not be hard on me, for I do not think he could be that on any one.”
Having finally made up her mind to confide in Mr. Pryor, she became soothed and comparatively happy, and dropped off towards morning into a quiet sleep.
She overslept herself, as was but natural, and had to jump up and dress in a hurry; but hurry as she would she was late for breakfast. Miss Roy said:
But she was a very gentle and considerate person, and when she saw how pale Nan’s face looked, and how sad was the expression round her lips, she forbore to chide her further.
The children started off for school immediately after breakfast, and the day’s routine proceeded as usual. In the afternoon Nan went up to Miss Roy and made a request.
“I want to know if you will do something for me; there is something I want very, very badly.”
“What is it, my dear?” asked the governess.
“Will you walk with me as far as Mr. Pryor’s? I want to see him.”
“But, my dear Nancy, you saw him yesterday.”
“But I want to see him awfully badly again to-day.”
“He was a great friend of mother’s, and it is most important; may I go, Miss Roy?”
Just at that moment Augusta strolled into the schoolroom.
“Ah, Nancy!” she said, “you promised to hold this wool for me. There is a great lot to be wound; it will take us quite half-an-hour. Come, we may as well start; I have got to wind all the coloured balls and put them in order for Lady Denby’s bazaar.”
“I cannot do it this evening,” replied Nan, shrugging her shoulders and turning back in sheer desperation to speak to Miss Roy.
“And I am afraid,” said Miss Roy, “I cannot go with you, dear, so there is an end of it.”
“What is it?” said Augusta. “What does she want, Miss Roy?”
“Why, this silly little girl,” said Miss Roy, who saw no reason for keeping Nan’s request a secret, “wants me to walk with her as far as Mr. Pryor’s.”
“Who in the name of fortune is Mr. Pryor?” asked Augusta.
“A friend of mine, and you have nothing to do with him,” said Nan, speaking fast, and her cheeks flushing with anger.
“Hoity-toity!” cried Augusta. “But I rather think I have something to do with all your friends; for are you not my very own most special friend—are you not, Nan? Come here and tell me so; come and tell me so now before Miss Roy.”