Tea was quite ready, in fact waiting for her, when she came in. This was a meal she always had by herself, brought up on a tray to Dorcas's little sitting-room, where Dorcas waited upon her. And sometimes when Griselda was in a particularly good humour she would beg Dorcas to sit down and have a cup of tea with her--a liberty the old servant was far too dignified and respectful to have thought of taking, unless specially requested to do so. This evening, as you know, Griselda was in a very particularly good humour, and besides this, so very full of her adventures, that she would have been glad of an even less sympathising listener than Dorcas was likely to be. "Sit down, Dorcas, and have some more tea, do," she said coaxingly. "It looks ever so much more comfortable, and I'm sure you could eat a little more if you tried, whether you've had your tea in the kitchen or not. I'm _fearfully_ hungry, I can tell you. You'll have to cut a whole lot more bread and butter and not 'ladies' slices' either." "How your tongue does go, to be sure, Miss Griselda," said Dorcas, smiling, as she seated herself on the chair Griselda had drawn in for her. "And why shouldn't it?" said Griselda saucily. "It doesn't do it any harm. But oh, Dorcas, I've had such fun this afternoon--really, you couldn't guess what I've been doing." "Very likely not, missie," said Dorcas. "But you might try to guess. Oh no, I don't think you need--guessing takes such a time, and I want to tell you. Just fancy, Dorcas, I've been playing with a little boy in the wood." "Playing with a little boy, Miss Griselda!" exclaimed Dorcas, aghast. "Yes, and he's coming again to-morrow, and the day after, and every day, I dare say," said Griselda. "He _is_ such a nice little boy." "But, missie," began Dorcas. "Well? What's the matter? You needn't look like that--as if I had done something naughty," said Griselda sharply. "But you'll tell your aunt, missie?" "Of course," said Griselda, looking up fearlessly into Dorcas's face with her bright grey eyes. "Of course; why shouldn't I? I must ask her to give the little boy leave to come into _our_ grounds; and I told the little boy to be sure to tell his nurse, who takes care of him, about his playing with me." "His nurse," repeated Dorcas, in a tone of some relief. "Then he must be quite a little boy, perhaps Miss Grizzel would not object so much in that case." "Why should she object at all? She might know I wouldn't want to play with a naughty rude boy," said Griselda. "She thinks all boys rude and naughty, I'm afraid, missie," said Dorcas. "All, that is to say, excepting your dear papa. But then, of course, she had the bringing up of _him_ in her own way from the beginning." "Well, I'll ask her, any way," said Griselda, "and if she says I'm not to play with him, I shall think--I know what I shall _think_ of Aunt Grizzel, whether I _say_ it or not." And the old look of rebellion and discontent settled down again on her rosy face.