Audrey groaned. "What do you mean?" she asked irritably. "Who was me? and who was looking for what? and how should I know who anyone was if you don't explain? Can't you tell all about it so that anyone can understand you?" Faith put a restraint upon herself and began again. "I mean it was you that the strangers were looking for. They are called Vivian--they are the grandchildren of Mr. Vivian at Abbot's Field. You know, mummy," turning to her mother. "They said they travelled with Audrey the day she came home. Why didn't you tell us, Audrey?" "Perhaps Audrey did not know who they were," suggested Mrs. Carlyle gently, seeing that Audrey looked confused and remained silent. Audrey grew red and uncomfortable, but made no reply. "They said they saw daddy and me and Tom on the platform," burst in Debby, breaking an awkward pause. "They didn't know he was the vicar, but they came over to try and see you at church, and then they saw daddy, and then they looked round and saw me and Tom, and Faith--of course they didn't know Faith, but they guessed she was another of us because of her red hair. And they waited until we came out of church to speak to us--they wanted to inquire for Audrey." "And oh, they are so nice, mother dear," chimed in Faith excitedly. "You will love them. They are coming here to see you." "I am so glad, dear, it will be nice for you to have companions. Did you not know who they were, Audrey, and where they were going to stay?" Audrey nodded. She was looking embarrassed, troubled and vexed. "Yes, mother, at least, they said they were going to stay with a Mr. Vivian, but--but I did not know him--and I--I didn't know them----" "Did you like them, dear?" "Yes, but I only saw them for a little while, of course. We did not travel all the way together. They weren't with me when daddy met me." She spoke quickly, hurrying out a jumble of excuses. "They are so jolly and friendly one could not help liking them," cried Faith enthusiastically. "Daddy asked them to come back with us to supper," chimed in Tom, "and they did wish they could, but they had to walk the three miles home and their mother would be anxious about them if they were late." "Their mother! Was their mother with them, Audrey, when you travelled together?" "Yes." "Oh, what must she think of us," cried poor Mrs. Carlyle, really distressed. "Such near neighbours, and to have taken no notice of them all these weeks. We knew her husband quite well before he married----" "But they are coming to see us, mummy," cried Debby consolingly. "They are coming one day very soon. They said so."