He came out of chapel before the sermon; they dined at noon, and started in good time to catch the train at Rodchurch Road. At the moment of departure, when the horse and wagonette stood ready, and Dale in his silk hat, black coat, and dogskin gloves was about to mount the box-seat, the boy Billy began to howl most pitifully because he was being left behind. Mavis, whose heartstrings were torn by the sight of her angel's tears and the sound of his yells, looked at Dale appealingly.
"All right," said Dale. "Will you behave yourself, Billy, if we take you?"
But this meant taking Norah too, because obviously Mavis could not manage both children unaided.
"Norah," said Dale, impressively, "I give you two minutes, and no more, to get yourself and the boy ready."
Mavis, overjoyed, put Rachel in the back of the wagonette, took her seat by her husband's side, and with sprightly chat endeavored to make two long minutes seem two short ones.
"How nice the horse looks! Will, I do feel we are all in luck. Such a fine day too. Do you think your top hat is necessary? Wouldn't you be more comfortable in your straw?"
"May be--but I don't think it would be the thing," said Dale. "We shall be sure to meet a lot of people we know."
"I only thought you'd get it so dusty. Is it your best or the old one?"
He did not answer, because just then Norah and Billy came rushing down the garden path.
It proved an altogether delightful excursion. There was so little in it really, and yet long years afterward Mavis sometimes thought of it as perhaps the happiest day of her life. They drove through Rodchurch, past the post office, the church, and other interesting sights; then along the broader road beneath big trees, to the railway station. Billy sat between his parents, and did not behave too well, wriggling, contorting himself, threatening to jump out, and even grabbing for the reins.
"It's his excitement," said Norah.
"Yes, it's his excitement," said Mavis; and she and Norah talked reassuringly, as if to each other, but really at Dale. "He'll be all right, Norah, when he has had his run about."
"Yes," sad Norah sagely, "children are like that. They must let off steam. As soon as they're tired they remember their manners and behave nicely."
At the Station Inn Dale put up the horse and trap, and the journey was pursued by rail.