"Well, we shall _all_ be glad to see you, Robert," she said. "And now you must go straight to Doctor Jim, who did invite you, as you seem to have forgotten! You go through that white gate, over there, and turn to the left, and then the first turn to the right puts you right on the main street. You're almost at Doctor Jim's then,--any one will point it out to you."
"But,--I didn't come to see Doctor Jim," protested Robert, much taken aback. "I came to bring back the canoe, you know!"
"Of course, I understand!" said Barbara, sweetly. "Tell Doctor Jim and Doctor John that I want them to bring you back here presently, in an hour or two, to present you to Aunt Hitty, and have tea with us!"
"But can't I stay a _little_ while _now_,--while no one knows I am here at all?" pleaded Robert.
Ordinarily, this was just what would have seemed reasonable and delightful to Barbara. But just now it pleased her to discipline the boy.
"Decidedly _not_, Robert!" said she. "You know how careful you are about etiquette,--so troubled over the idea of coming here at all on the mere invitation of mere me! You shall not talk to me any more till you have been properly presented to Aunt Hitty! Besides, I am just at a _most_ interesting place in this lovely book,"--and she snatched 'Clarissa' up from the grass, where it had lain forgotten since Robert's appearance,--"and I can't really take my mind off it till I find out what is going to happen. I will see you in the house, with Aunt Hitty, in--let me see--about an hour and a half! Now go right away!"
Robert looked very miserable, but bowed submission, and backed off.
"How will Mistress Ladd receive me?" he asked, doubtfully.
"Oh," replied Barbara, one small brown hand on the apple-tree as she waited for Robert to depart ere she climbed back to her nook, "Aunt Hitty is just perfect. She will be very nice to you, and will quite approve of you, I know. Since everything has turned out for the best, she has already forgiven you for leading her young niece into mischief the way you did!"
Robert stared at her in speechless amazement. But Barbara would not let him ask any more questions. With a mocking little grimace at his confusion, she pointed to the white gate.