Her conscientious scrupling: "But mother may be cross!" had passed unheeded.

Now, she, too, fell into a flurry.

She could not remain there, by herself, to meet two young men, one of whom was a stranger: steps and voices were already audible at the end of the passage.

And so, since there was nothing else for it, she clambered after her friends--though with difficulty; for she was not very tall.
This was why, when Mrs.Beamish flourished open the door, exclaiming in a hearty tone: "An' 'ere you'll find 'em, gents--sittin' at their needles, busy as bees!" the most conspicuous object in the room was a very neat leg, clad in a white stocking and black prunella boot, which was just being drawn up over the sill.

It flashed from sight; and the patter of running feet beat the floor of the verandah.
"Ha, ha, too late! The birds have flown," laughed Purdy, and smacked his thigh.
"Well, I declare, an' so they 'ave--the NAUGHTY creatures!" exclaimed Mrs.Beamish in mock dismay.