“If I may,” said Maggie, hanging down her head.

“Or, I’ll tell you what.  Suppose you come to my house, and teach us how to make it there; and then, you know, we could always be making gingerbread when we were not eating it.  That would be best, I think.  Must I ask mamma to bring you down to Combehurst, and let us all get acquainted together?  I have a great boy and a little girl at home, who will like to see you, I’m sure.  And we have got a pony for you to ride on, and a peacock and guinea fowls, and I don’t know what all.  Come, madam, let me persuade you.  School begins in three weeks.  Let us fix a day before then.”

“Do mamma,” said Edward.

“I am not in spirits for visiting,” Mrs. Browne answered.  But the quick children detected a hesitation in her manner of saying the oft spoken words, and had hopes, if only Mr. Buxton would persevere in his invitation.

“Your not visiting is the very reason why you are not in spirits.  A little change, and a few neighborly faces, would do you good, I’ll be bound.  Besides, for the children’s sake you should not live too secluded a life.  Young people should see a little of the world.”

Mrs. Browne was much obliged to Mr. Buxton for giving her so decent an excuse for following her inclination, which, it must be owned, tended to the acceptance of the invitation.  So, “for the children’s sake,” she consented.  But she sighed, as if making a sacrifice.

“That’s right,” said Mr. Buxton.  “Now for the day.”

It was fixed that they should go on that day week; and after some further conversation about the school at which Edward was to be placed, and some more jokes about Maggie’s notability, and an inquiry if she would come and live with him the next time he wanted a housemaid, Mr. Buxton took his leave.

His visit had been an event; and they made no great attempt at settling again that day to any of their usual employments.  In the first place, Nancy came in to hear and discuss all the proposed plans.  Ned, who was uncertain whether to like or dislike the prospect of school, was very much offended by the old servant’s remark, on first hearing of the project.

“It’s time for him.  He’ll learn his place there, which, it strikes me, he and others too are apt to forget at home.”

Then followed discussions and arrangements respecting his clothes.  And then they came to the plan of spending a day at Mr. Buxton’s, which Mrs. Browne was rather shy of mentioning, having a sort of an idea of inconstancy and guilt connected with the thought of mingling with the world again.  However, Nancy approved:  “It was quite right,” and “just as it should be,” and “good for the children.”

“Yes; it was on their account I did it, Nancy,” said Mrs. Browne.

“How many children has Mr. Buxton?” asked Edward.

“Only one.  Frank, I think, they call him.  But you must say Master Buxton; be sure.”