One day Mr Gibson came in, bright and swift.
'Molly,' said he, 'where's Cynthia?'
'Gone out to do some errands -- '
'Well, it's a pity - but never mind.Put on your bonnet and cloak as fast as you can.I've had to borrow old Simpson's dogcart, - there would have been room both for you and Cynthia; but as it is, you must walk back alone.I'll drive you as far on the Barford Road as I can, and then you must jump down.I can't take you on to Broadhurst's, I may be kept there for hours.'
Mrs Gibson was out of the room; out of the house it might be, for all Molly cared, now she had her father's leave and command.Her bonnet and cloak were on in two minutes, and she was sitting by her father's side, the back scat shut up, and the light weight going swiftly and merrily bumping over the stone-paved lanes.