Then the cause of Christina's real trouble flashed across her father's mind.
He laughed and kissed her.
"You are a little morbid, over-conscientious goose!" he exclaimed. "Many grown-up people would have been frightened at that boy's trick. No, Christina, you haven't disgraced your family yet. I will tell you when you have!"
He put her back into bed, and Christina, worn out by her fright and misery and comforted by her father's kiss and words, fell asleep.
The next morning Puggy was summoned to the library. He was much astonished to receive a short but thoroughly severe chastisement from Mr. Maclahan, and retired to his bedroom quite crestfallen.
He did not see Christina till dinner time, and when they met, neither made any allusion to the ghost.
[CHAPTER X]
"HOW COULD I HELP GOING!"
CHRISTMAS was over. The tree had been quite a success, and though Christina could not get permission to have Susy as a guest, she was allowed to take her some presents from it.
The children were left much alone, owing to the many guests staying in the house. They saw very little of them. Every morning, if fine, Christina went up and down the drive on her grey pony. And to her great delight she was losing her fear, and really feeling at ease in her saddle. Puggy would fly off on his own account. He never seemed to come to harm; though his arms and legs were always liberally supplied with bumps and bruises.