For the rest of the way Violet walked with Mrs. Scobel, and at thegarden-gate of the Vicarage Roderick Vawdrey wished them bothgood-night, and tramped off, with his basket on his back and his rod onhis shoulder, for the long walk to Briarwood.
Here the children separated, and ran off to their scattered homes,dropping grateful bob-curtsies to the last—"louting," as they calledit in their Forest dialect.
"You must come in and have some tea, Violet," said Mrs. Scobel. "Youmust be very tired."
"I am rather tired; but I think it's too late for tea. I had better gethome at once."
"Ignatius shall see you home, my dear," cried Mrs. Scobel. At which theindefatigable Vicar, who had shouted himself hoarse in leading hischoir, protested himself delighted to escort Miss Tempest.
The church clock struck ten as they went along the narrow forest-pathbetween Beechdale and the Abbey House.
"Oh," cried Vixen, "I do hope mamma's people will have gone home."
A carriage rolled past them as they came out into the road.
"That's Mrs. Cartere