She'll see about lunch, for she's particularly
anxious,"--he turned to Betty,--"that _you_ should have a good blow this
time. We shall get a little lunch while we are out, and be home by four."
"Let's take lunch with us," broke in Timmy eagerly. "We can eat it
anywhere." He had always had a passion for picnics.
Betty was the last human being to make any unnecessary fuss. Also,
somehow, she felt as if to-day was not quite like other days. She could
not have told why. "All right. I'll cut some sandwiches, and then I'll go
and get ready," she said.
Janet was in the hall when Betty came down.
"That's right," she said heartily, "I'm glad you're going to have a real
outing at last!"
She took the girl in her arms and kissed her, and Betty felt touched. Her
step-mother was not given to affectionate demonstration. And then, all at
once, Janet looked round and said in a low voice: "Betty, I'm dreadfully
worried about Jack. D'you think it's conceivably possible that there's
anything _serious_ between him and Mrs. Crofton?"
Betty hardly knew what to answer. For some days past she had felt quite
sure that there was something between those two. Jack had been so odd, so
unlike himself, and once he had said to her, "Betty, I do wish you'd make
friends with Mrs.
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