The next morning, when Fairy came back from the rectory to dinner, which these two generally ate alone, John and Charlie taking theirs with them, for they went as far as five or six miles from home with their flocks, Mrs. Shelley thought it better to warn Fairy of what was in store for her before Mr. de Courcy made his appearance that afternoon, as in the ordinary course of things he was sure to do; so, waiting till Fairy had finished her dinner, lest her news should destroy the girl’s appetite, small enough at all times in Mrs. Shelley’s opinion, she said, “Fairy, John is very angry with me for letting Mr. de Courcy come here so often. He told me of it last night after you were gone to bed, and he has not opened his lips to me since.” “John angry! Why should he be angry, mother? I thought he liked Mr. de Courcy. Perhaps some more sheep have died, and he is only grieving for them. You have made a mistake; he can’t be angry about me.” “But he is, though. What is more, he is going to put a stop to Mr. de Courcy coming here.” “Oh, but mother, he can’t do that. I shall tell Rex—I mean Mr. de Courcy—I wish him to come, and he just won’t pay any attention to John. He will come all the same, I am sure,” said Fairy, not at all alarmed by John’s threat. “I doubt it, Fairy. You have always done as you liked with John up to now, but now he has taken it into his head it is his duty to stop these visits, he will do it; even you won’t be able to stop him. And if Mr. de Courcy should come this afternoon, you had better tell him John won’t allow him to come to this house, because he is certain his relations would not approve of it if they knew. And, Fairy, take my advice, and tell him to-day, for I am half afraid it will be the last time you will see him.” “Oh, mother!” exclaimed Fairy, turning so pale that Mrs. Shelley saw at a glance the mischief was done, and that if John put his threat into execution, and she was certain he would, it would go very near to breaking poor little Fairy’s heart, except hearts, in Mrs. Shelley’s opinion, were very hard things and took a deal of breaking. “Well, well, child, tell Mr. de Courcy, and see what he says, but I am as sure as I am standing here John will keep his word, if he has not done so already.” “Already! Oh, mother, Rex must come this afternoon; I am certain he would never stop away without telling me, for all the Johns in the world,” said Fairy; but in spite of her words she was terribly afraid lest he should not come, and spent the afternoon till nearly four o’clock, in watching alternately the road and the clock, until, at last, to Mrs. Shelley’s delight no less than Fairy’s, Rex’s step was heard.