"But how--how? There was no train. Did you cycle? Where did you get your machine?" "Borrowed him from the stationmaster, and left my watch in exchange, in case I never went back. Jolly good exchange for him, too. It's the worst machine I ever rode, and that's saying a good deal. I told your mother I'd bring you back all right, and persuaded her to go home. What on earth possessed you to be such a muff?" Darsie tossed her head, gratitude giving place to wounded pride. "Muff, indeed! You don't know what you are talking about, or you wouldn't be so unkind. I ran like the rest, but I fell--caught my foot on something, and fell on my face. I believe I fainted." There was an irrepressible note of pride in her voice as she made this last statement, for fainting, being unknown in the healthy Garnett family, was regarded as a most interesting and aristocratic accomplishment. "I do believe I fainted, for for several minutes I didn't know where I was. And I hurt myself, too; look at my hand!" Dan looked and whistled. "Skinned it properly, haven't you! Reminds me of the days of my youth. Better sponge it clean with your handkerchief and some of that water. And when you _did_ remember, the train had gone--." "Yes--and not another until after ten, and not a halfpenny in my pocket to buy a ticket, and no one but a callous wretch of a porter to consult. Oh, Dan, I _was_ wretched--I'll bless you all my life for coming back like this!" "Rot!" said Dan briskly. "I was the only man. Couldn't do anything else. I say, you know, it was your doing that I came to this blessed old picnic at all, and you _have_ let me in for a day! Eleven to eleven before we've done with it--twelve solid hours! I've had about as much picnic as I want for the rest of my natural life." "I'm sorry. I thought it would be so nice. I'm sorry I bothered you, Dan." Darsie was tired and cold, in a condition of physical depression which made her peculiarly sensitive to a slighting mood. She leaned her head against the ugly wall, and shut her lids over her smarting eyes. Her cheeks were white. Her lips quivered like a wearied child's, but she made a charming picture all the same, her inherent picturesqueness showing itself even in this moment of collapse.