"And the lady said you were please to come at once," she added, addressing Alison. "Oh, bother," exclaimed the latter; "I haven't seen half yet! I suppose I shall have to go, though. Where's your aunt? I want to say good-bye to her. Oh, there she is at the gate, speaking to Mother!" Mrs. Clarke was not at all pleased to find her daughter awaiting her at Holly Cottage, though she had the good manners to conceal her feelings and speak politely to Miss Sherbourne; so she hustled Alison into the trap as speedily as possible. "We're late, Birdie. I couldn't help it--I was delayed at the Sewing Meeting. But we must hurry home now. Here's your shawl, and put this golf cape on. No, child; you must have it properly round you." "I'm so hot!" panted poor Alison, dutifully submitting to the extra wraps. "You'll be cold enough driving. Have you tucked the rug thoroughly round your knees? Then say good-bye." "Good-bye! Good-bye! I hadn't half enough time," cried Alison, trying to wave a hand, in spite of the encumbrance of the golf cape. "I'd like to come again and----" But here her mother whipped up the pony so smartly that the rest of the sentence was lost in the grating of wheels. "So that is Mrs. Clarke," said Aunt Barbara, as she entered the cottage again. "She looks nice, though I wish she had allowed Alison to stay for a few minutes longer. It's a funny thing, but somehow her face seems so familiar to me. I wonder if I can possibly have met her before?" "Have you seen her in Coleminster?" suggested Dorothy. "No; the remembrance seems to be much farther back than that. I should say it was a long time ago." "So it was--nearly fourteen years," volunteered Martha, who was laying the tea table. "I remembered her fast enough. I knew her the moment I set my eyes on her." Martha had the privilege of long service, and was accustomed to speak her mind and offer advice to her mistress on many occasions. If she was blunt and abrupt in her manners, she was a very faithful soul, and her north-country brains were shrewd and keen. She was an authority in the little household on many points, and her remarks were never ignored. "Why, Martha, I always say you've a better memory than I have," returned Miss Sherbourne. "Where did we know her, then?" "We didn't know her," said Martha, pausing and looking at Dorothy. "The bairn's been told about it now, so I suppose I can speak before her? Well, that lady in the trap to-day is the same one that came to the inn at Greenfield Junction, and was so upset at sight of the child." "Are you sure, Martha?" exclaimed Miss Barbara. "Certain; I never forget a face. I'd take my oath before a judge and jury." "She did not remember us." "Didn't she? I wouldn't swear to that. You've not changed so much but that anyone would recognize you. It's my opinion she knew us both, and that was the reason she was in such a precious hurry to get away." CHAPTER XI Alison's Uncle