"I thought I'd discovered something to please you. The sea breezes will put colour into those pale cheeks. Ponies, donkeys, governess carts will all be left behind, and for one long perfect week we shall coast round the Isle of Wight, and other parts of this perfect country. What do you say? I have already mentioned the matter to the others, and I find that they are, without a single exception, good sailors." "I will be well enough, whoever else isn't," said Harriet, stoutly. "It'll be lovely, lovely. You know I have spent all my early days at the seaside." "Have you? Then of course you are accustomed to yachting." "I am accustomed to going out in the fishing boats: I often did so at Yarmouth: I used to make great friends with the sailors." "Then that will be capital, my dear. Now I am leaving early to-morrow. You won't guess where I am going, will you?" "How can I guess, Mr Durrant?" "To no less a place than Robina's home." "Robina's home," said Harriet. She felt herself turning red, and one of her hands which had been lying idle on her lap, clenched itself tightly. "Why to Robina's home?" she asked. "That is just it. I have a little scheme in my head; why should not I tell you? I have told her--why should not you also be in the secret?" "Oh, please, please tell me?" said Harriet. "I love secrets," she added. "Most girls do. Well, this is the state of things. You know that my first intention was to send Ralph back to Mrs Burton's school with you and the other school-mothers. He was to be primarily under Robina's care, and the rest of you were of course to be good to him. Dear, kind Mrs Burton had consented to the arrangement, and everything was going well, when, lo and behold! I was obliged to change my plans." "Oh!" said Harriet: "to change your plans--how? why?" "I will tell you why, dear Harriet, and I am sure you will sympathise with me. I know you have a great regard for my little boy, and I believe he returns your regard; therefore anything connected with his future will be of interest to you. Mrs Burton cannot receive Ralph at her school as she at first promised to do. She will herself give you her reasons for this, but I need not trouble you about them at the present moment. Suffice it to say that Ralph cannot go back to Abbeyfield, and therefore I have to make other arrangements for him." "Yes," said Harriet, in a breathless sort of voice. "Dear Ralph! He is such a sweet little boy. Have you made your arrangements, Mr Durrant?"