"Miss Loder always understands," said Christina, waving her hand to her governess as she departed. "She knows how I like being with you; but I'm sorry she didn't quite understand Susy."
That was a very happy afternoon to Christina. Susy arrived in due time, and had a good tea in the kitchen with Lucy. Then she came into Miss Bertha's sitting-room, and Christina and she had a lot to say to each other. Miss Bertha listened to them, and occasionally put in a word. She promised Susy she would come and see her father and talk to him about keeping from the drink, and the little girl's tired eyes lightened with hope.
"I never has no one to back me up!" she said. "I does so much talkin' to him that he be pretty well tired of it, but it 'ud come fresh and strong from you, mum; an' father be wonderful soft an' reasonable when he be sober."
"And if any one can make wicked people good, it's Miss Bertha!" exclaimed Christina with conviction. "Why, even Puggy wants to do what he ought when Miss Bertha talks to him!"
Susy wanted to know who Puggy was, so Christina enlightened her.
"He's coming home for the holidays next week, and then you'll see him."
"I shall be gone; we won't be here Christmas: our hoss be gettin' well fast."
"Oh, but ask your father to stay. We shall have such a lovely Christmas."
Susy's eyes looked a little wistful.
"I ain't seen no lovely Christmases," she said; "it don't make no odds to me!"