15 A SUDDEN QUARREL
BUT Sally was not easy to find. She seemed to have completely disappeared again. It occurred toDarrell to wonder if Sally was avoiding her—but no, why should she? There would be no reason forthat.
She hunted everywhere for Sally. Nobody knew where she was. It was peculiar¹. Darrell went back toher parents, anxious not to lose any more of their company, for time was precious now.
'Well, / can't find Sally,' she said. 'She's completely vanished. Anyway, I'll give her her mother'smessage. What was it, Mother?'
'Oh, her mother seemed a little worried about Sally, because it's her first term at boarding school, andSally writes such funny wooden little letters,' said Mrs. Rivers. 'I showed Mrs. Hope some ofyourletters, darling. I knew you wouldn't mind; and she said she did wish Sally would write more news toher, and send her letters like yours. She said she seemed to have lost touch with her completely. Shewas really very worried. She wanted me to speak to Sally and tell her she sent her fondest love, andwas so sorry she couldn't come and see her this half-term. And she said her baby sister sent her hugsand kisses.'
'I'll tell her,' said Darrell, very puzzled. 'But Mother dear, Sally's awfully² funny about things. Shetruly and honestly did tell me she hadn't got a sister, and she was furious with me for talking abouther mother. She said I was interfering³ and all sorts of things.'
'Well—perhaps she was joking,' said Mrs. Rivers, also rather puzzled. 'Sally does know she's got ababy sister at home. For one thing, that was why she was sent to boarding school, so that the babywho is rather delicate could have all Mrs. Hope's care. It's a dear little thing.'
'Been losing your temper yet?' asked Darrell's father, with a twinkle in his eye. Darnell went red.
'Well—I did once,' she said. 'And after I'd made up my mind I wouldn't too!'
'Oh, Darrell—you didn't lose it badly, I hope,' said her mother anxiously.
Emily answered for Darrell. 'Oh, she just gave a most exasperating⁴ girl some jolly good slaps in thepool! You could almost hear them up at the Towers!'
'DarrelP.' said her mother, shocked. Darrell grinned.
'I know. Awful of me, wasn't it. I shan't do it again. I've got my temper well in hand now.'
'We've all wanted to do a bit of slapping where that particular girl is concerned,' said Emily, 'sosecretly we were rather pleased!'

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