They are about starting towards the boat-dock, when a difficulty presents itself--not to Gwen, but the companion.
"We have forgotten Joseph!" she exclaims.
Joseph is an ancient retainer of the Wynn family, who, in its domestic affairs, plays parts of many kinds--among them the _métier_ of boatman. It is his duty to look after the _Gwendoline_, see that she is snug in her dock, with oars and steering apparatus in order; go out with her when his young mistress takes a row on the river, or ferry any one of the family who has occasion to cross it--the last a need by no means rare, since for miles above and below there is nothing in the shape of a bridge.
"No, we haven't," rejoins Joseph's mistress, answering the exclamation of the companion. "I remembered him well enough--too well."
"Why too well?" asks the other, looking a little puzzled.
"But surely, Gwen, you wouldn't think of our going alone."
"But Miss Linton will be displeased, if not very angry. Besides, as you know, there may be danger on the river."
For a short while Gwen is silent, as if pondering on what the other has said. Not on the suggested danger. She is far from being daunted by that. But Miss Linton is her aunt--as already hinted, her legal guardian till of age--head of the house, and still holding authority, though exercising it in the mildest manner. And just on this account it would not be right to outrage it, nor is Miss Wynn the one to do so. Instead, she prefers a little subterfuge, which is in her mind as she makes rejoinder--
"I suppose we must take him along; though it's very vexatious, and for various reasons."
"You're welcome. For one, I can pull a boat just as well as he, if not better. And for another, we can't have a word of conversation without his hearing it--which isn't at all nice, besides being inconvenient. As I've reason to know, the old curmudgeon is an incorrigible gossip, and tattles all over the parish; I only wish we'd someone else. What a pity I haven't a brother to go with us! _But not to-day._"
The reserving clause, despite its earnestness, is not spoken aloud. In the aquatic excursion intended, she wants no companion of the male kind--above all, no brother. Nor will she take Joseph, though she signifies her consent to it, by desiring the companion to summon him.