Hilyard. Probably she
possessed no equivalent of Maria, who was almost as full of current news as
the local daily paper.
"Well, I'm very grateful to you for coming to my help. My chauffeur gets
back this evening, and I'll send him down for the car. It will be all right
here till then."
She bowed very graciously, and was turning away when Ann impulsively
detained her.
"Don't walk back," she said. "Let me drive you home in my cart. Our cottage
is close by, and if you'd let us give you some tea first--"
"Now, that's what I call being really neighbourly!" declared Mrs. Hilyard.
"I'd love the cup of tea. But I can't put you to the trouble of driving me
back afterwards. There must be a limit to Good Samaritanism, you know!"
"It won't be the least trouble," Ann assured her. "Rather the reverse, in
fact. My cob wasn't out yesterday, and it'll do him good to go out to-day.
So, you see, you're providing an excellent reason for exercising
him"--laughingly.
Mrs. Hilyard threw her a mischievous smile.
"Pure casuistry!" she affirmed. "But it's convinced me. I'll love to have
tea with you, and afterwards you shall drive me home, and by the time I've
given you as much trouble as possible, I hope we shall be really friends!"
It was only a matter of five minutes' walk from where they were standing to
the Cottage, and Mrs.
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