“It’s no bother at all,” she interrupted “Surely I can do a little thing like that when you’re being so kind and helpful. Myrtle and I will be ready for ten o’clock if that’s all right for you.”

She hastened lightly from the Great Hall, flashing back a grateful smile for the chivalry with which she had been treated.

“Oh, Toker, I’m so sorry to worry you again, but I wonder if you’d make up another three packets for lunch and tea. Mr Cameron and Lieutenant MacDonald and Mr Iain are going over to Knocknacolly in Mr Cameron’s car, and Miss Royde and I are going with them.”

“Quite an expedition, madam.”

“Yes, I do hope the rain will keep off.”

“I fear not, madam. I always dislike adopting a pessimistic attitude, but I never saw a sky look so determined to rain.”

“That’s too bad. But never mind, we’ll have good shelter. I’ll bring down my lunch-basket if you’ll put the five packets inside.”

When the butler informed the housekeeper of the additional picnic fare required she told him he must have made a mistake.

“I seldom make mistakes, Mrs Parsall,” he reminded her, with cold dignity.

“Well, what does Miss Royde want two packets for?” she asked. “Is it a school-treat?”

“Probably Mrs Royde and Miss Royde each thought the other was giving the necessary order.”

“Oh well, I’ve given Mrs Ablewhite her instructions now. It’ll only cause more confusion if I alter them. If there’s two packets too many there must just be two packets too many. Mrs Ablewhite will be quite enough annoyed at everybody trapesing out to picnic on a day like this. The whole arrangements for lunch will now have to be altered. Well, I hope it rains good and hard. It will serve ’em right,’ Mrs Parsall ejaculated bitterly.

It was half-past ten when Kilwhillie pulled up at the corner of the Glenbristle road to let Carrie and Myrtle alight.

“Weighs quite a lot,” Murdoch observed as he deposited the lunch-basket in the road.

“Oh, we’ll carry it between us,” said the owner cheerfully.

“You’d better change your mind and come with us to Knocknacolly, Mrs, Royde,” Kilwhillie put his head through the window of the car to advise. “I’m sure we’re going to have a drench of rain presently.”

“Oh well, if it does, Myrtle and I will just have to go back home. We can always leave the basket under a rock and have somebody pick it up going past in a car. I’d adore to come with you, but I know if I go for a long drive my headache will start again.”

Kilwhillie’s ancient Austin rattled on its way, and the two young women picked up the basket between them.

“My, it does weigh quite a bit,” Myrtle exclaimed.