"Miss Christina is taken bad," he explained.
There was a little frown between Mrs. Maclahan's eyes as she rustled upstairs to the housekeeper's room. Mrs. Hallam was seated in her chair by the fire, and Christina was upon her lap. Her face was blue and pinched, her teeth chattering, and her eyes dim and glassy.
"Come in, please, ma'am."
Mrs. Hallam's tone was very indignant.
"Master Puggy ought to be well punished for this. He's dressed himself up in sheet and white mask and frightened two of the maids into hysterics by pouncing out upon them from the turret room; and not content with that, he creeps after Miss Tina as she were going along the passage. She have fainted three times, and I don't seem able to bring her round at all."
"Why don't you give her a drop of brandy, you stupid woman! Dear me, what a bother that boy is! Now, Tina, get up, and don't be silly. It's only Puggy's nonsense! He ought to be ashamed of himself! Get some brandy at once, Mrs. Hallam. Where is Connie? She had better be put straight to bed."
Acting as quickly as she talked, Mrs. Maclahan took Christina off to her bedroom, and by dint of rubbing and making her swallow some hot brandy and water the child at length revived. Mrs. Maclahan did not leave her till she was quite herself again, and then told Connie to sit with her till she fell asleep. She went back to her guests, but did not tell her husband of his little daughter's attack till they were on their way to bed.
He was very angry.
"Yes," she said, "Puggy deserves everything you say. He is keeping out of the way now. Give him a good scolding to-morrow morning; but oh, my dear Herbert, it is a pity that Tina is so timid. What can we do with her? She will never get through life like this."
"I must see her at once."