“But you see you don’t know anything about the matter,” retorted Aunt Charlotte, beginning to wonder at the boy’s persistency.  “What in the world makes you want me not to go?”

“Oh—­I only thought it might prove unnecessary,” replied he, rather lamely.  “It’s going to be very hot, and after all——­”

“It’ll be quite as hot to-morrow,” said Aunt Charlotte, as she stirred her tea.

“Well, why not go by a later train, then?” suggested Austin.  “Look here; go by the 4.20 this afternoon, and take me with you.  We’ll go to a nice quiet hotel, and have a beautiful dinner, and see some of the sights, and then you’d have all to-morrow morning to do your business with these horrid old gentlemen at the bank.  Now don’t you think that’s rather a good idea?”

“I—­dare—­say!” cried Aunt Charlotte, in her highest key.  “So that’s what you’re aiming at, is it?  Oh, you’re a cunning boy, my dear, if ever there was one.  But your little project would cost at least four times as much as I propose to spend to-day, and for that reason alone it’s not to be thought of for a moment.  What in creation ever put such an idea into your head?”

“I don’t want to come with you in the very least, really—­especially as you don’t want to have me,” replied Austin.  “But I do wish you’d give up your idea of going to London by the 10.27 this morning.  If you’ll only do that I don’t care for anything else.  Take the same train to-morrow, if you like, but not to-day.  That’s all I have to ask you.”

“But why—­why—­why?” demanded Aunt Charlotte, in not unnatural amazement.

“I can’t tell you why,” said Austin.  “It wouldn’t be any use.”

“You are the very absurdest child I ever came across!” exclaimed Aunt Charlotte.  “I’ve often had to put up with your fancies, but never with any so outrageously unreasonable as this.  Now not another word.  I’m going to travel by the 10.27 this morning, and if you like to come and see me off, you’re at perfect liberty to do so.”

Austin made no reply, and breakfast proceeded in silence.  Then he glanced at the clock, and saw that it was ten minutes to nine.  As soon as the meal was finished, he rose from his chair and moved slowly towards the door.

“You still intend to go by the——­”

“Hold your tongue!” snapped his aunt.  Whereupon Austin left the room without another word.  Then he stumped his way upstairs and was not seen again.  Aunt Charlotte, meanwhile, began preparations for her journey.  It was now close on nine o’clock, and she had to order the dinner, see that she had sufficient money for her expenses, choose a bonnet for travelling in, and look after half-a-dozen other important trifles before setting out to catch the railway omnibus at the Peacock.  At last Austin, waiting behind a door, heard her enter her room to dress.  Very gently he stole out with something in his pocket, and two minutes afterwards was standing on the lawn with his straw hat tilted over his eyes, chattering with Lubin about tubers, corms, and bulbs, potting and bedding-out, and other pleasant mysteries of garden-craft.