In Frances Freeland, lying awake till two, as was her habit, the suggestion grew.  To this growth not only her custom of putting the best face on things, but her incurable desire to make others happy, and an instinctive sympathy with love-affairs, all contributed; moreover, Felix had said something about Derek’s having been concerned in something rash.  If darling Nedda were there it would occupy his mind and help to make him careful.  Never dilatory in forming resolutions, she decided to take the girl over with her on the morrow.  Kirsteen had a dear little spare room, and Nedda should take her bag.  It would be a nice surprise for them all.  Accordingly, next morning, not wanting to give any trouble, she sent Thomas down to the Red Lion, where they had a comfortable fly, with a very steady, respectable driver, and ordered it to come at half past two.  Then, without saying anything to Clara, she told Nedda to be ready to pop in her bag, trusting to her powers of explaining everything to everybody without letting anybody know anything.  Little difficulties of this sort never bunkered her; she was essentially a woman of action.  And on the drive to Joyfields she stilled the girl’s quavering with: 

“It’s all right, darling; it’ll be very nice for them.”

She was perhaps the only person in the world who was not just a little bit afraid of Kirsteen.  Indeed, she was constitutionally unable to be afraid of anything, except motor-cars, and, of course, earwigs, and even them one must put up with.  Her critical sense told her that this woman in blue was just like anybody else, besides her father had been the colonel of a Highland regiment, which was quite nice, and one must put the best face on her.

In this way, pointing out the beauty of each feature of the scenery, and not permitting herself or Nedda to think about the bag, they drove until they came to Joyfields.

Kirsteen alone was in, and, having sent Nedda into the orchard to look for her uncle, Frances Freeland came at once to the point.  It was so important, she thought, that darling Nedda should see more of dear Derek.  They were very young, and if she could stay for a few weeks, they would both know their minds so much better.  She had made her bring her bag, because she knew dear Kirsteen would agree with her; and it would be so nice for them all.  Felix had told her about that poor man who had done this dreadful thing, and she thought that if Nedda were here it would be a distraction.  She was a very good child, and quite useful in the house.  And while she was speaking she watched Kirsteen, and thought:  ’She is very handsome, and altogether ladylike; only it is such a pity she wears that blue thing in her hair—­it makes her so conspicuous.’  And rather unexpectedly she said: 

“Do you know, dear, I believe I know the very thing to keep your hair from getting loose.  It’s such lovely hair.  And this is quite a new thing, and doesn’t show at all; invented by a very nice hairdresser in Worcester.  It’s simplicity itself.  Do let me show you!” Quickly going over, she removed the kingfisher-blue fillet, and making certain passes with her fingers through the hair, murmured: