"And watch them coming up," said Barbara. "That's what I shall like. And not having _always_ to go out with the Dragon. Of course, I shall generally want you to come with me, darling, and I should always behave exactly as if you were there--naturally, as I'm a good girl. But I expect you will like to go out by yourself sometimes too, without one of the Graftons always hanging to you." "You'll like the country, won't you, dear?" asked Beatrix. "I think you must go about with a key-basket, and feed the sparrows after breakfast." "I was brought up in the country," said Miss Waterhouse. "I shall feel more at home there than you will." "Your mother would have loved the garden," said Grafton. "She always missed her garden." "Grandfather showed me the corner she had at Frampton when she was little," said Caroline. "There's an oak there where she planted an acorn. It takes up nearly the whole of it now." "Where is it?" asked her father. "I never knew that. I should like to see it." Caroline described the spot to him. "Ah, yes," he said, "I do remember now; she showed it me herself when we were engaged." "Grandfather showed it to me too," said Beatrix. "Yes, I know," said Caroline quickly. "You were there." Their mother was often spoken of in this way, naturally, and not with any sadness or regret. Caroline remembered her. Beatrix said she did, and was inclined to be a little jealous of Caroline's memories. "I think I'll come with you after all, to-morrow," said Beatrix. "I can put off my fencing for once." "Yes, do, darling," said Caroline. "You and I and Dad will have a jolly day together." CHAPTER II THE VICAR