Pip
used to go to school late and come back early, cajoling notes of excuse,
whenever, possible, out of Esther. He even played the truant once, and
took a caning for it afterwards quite good-humouredly.
Judy still looked pale and tired, and her cough was rather troublesome;
but she was fast getting her high spirits back, and was enjoying her
adventure immensely.
The only drawback was the cribbed, cabined, and confined space of
the loft.
"You will HAVE to arrange things so that I can go for a run," she said
one morning, in a determined manner. "My legs are growing shorter,
I am sure, with not exercising them. I shall have forgotten how to walk
by the end of the week."
Pip didn't think it could be done; Meg besought her to run no risks;
but Bunty and Nell were eager for it.
"Meg could talk to Father," Bunty said, "and Pip could keep
teasing General till Esther would be frightened to leave the room,
and then me and Judy would nick down and have a run, and get back
before you let them go."
Judy shook her head.
"That would be awfully stale," she said. "If I go, I shall stay
down some time. Why shouldn't we have a picnic down at the river?"
"Oh, yes, let's!" Bunty cried, with sparkling eyes.
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