"I am glad those visitors are going," thought the good man, who did not in the least recognize his own family. "A noisy, vulgar crowd they seemed. I hope my own girls will never become like that. Thank goodness they did not stay long! Sophia is a person of discernment; she knows that I can't possibly receive incidental visitors at The Dales."
He returned to his work and soon was lost to all external things.
Meanwhile the girls had a lovely and exciting drive. Aunt Sophia was in her most agreeable mood. The children themselves were quite unaccustomed to carriage exercise. It was a wonderful luxury to lean back on the softly cushioned seats and dash swiftly under the noble beech-trees and the giant oaks of the primeval forest. By-and-by they drove up to some white gates. Verena was desired to get out and open them. The carriage passed through. She remounted into her seat, and a few minutes later they all found themselves in a great cobble-stoned yard surrounded by stables and coach-houses. The melodious cry of a pack of fox-hounds filled the air. The girls were almost beside themselves with excitement. Presently a red-faced man appeared, and he and Miss Tredgold had a long and mysterious talk together. She got out of the wagonette and went with the man into the stables. Soon out of the stables there issued, led by two grooms, as perfect a pair of Forest ponies as were ever seen. They were well groomed and in excellent order, and when they arched their necks and pawed the ground with their feet, Pauline uttered an irrepressible shout.
"Those ponies are coming to The Dale in a fortnight," said Miss Tredgold. "Their names are Peas-blossom and Lavender."
"I believe I'll die if much more of this goes on," gasped Briar. "I'm too happy. I can't stand anything further."
"Hush, Briar!" said Verena, almost giving her sister a shake in her excitement, and yet at the same time trying to appear calm.
"Now, my dear children, we will go home," said their aunt. "The wagonette will come any day that I send for it, and Mr. Judson informs me he hopes by-and-by to have a pair of carriage horses that I may think it worth while to purchase."
"Aren't these good enough?" asked Verena, as they drove back to The Dales.