This was done; but to teach them a lesson, the Squire locked up both bangle and watch in his dressing-case, and neither Puggy nor Christina had them again till three months had gone by.
[CHAPTER XIV]
"MY DAD IS GOING TO DIE"
"WHICH must I do?"
It was a big question to Christina.
Old Mr. Bolland had left a note asking her to go to lunch the next afternoon with him and his wife. Her father was willing that she should do so, for he had discovered that the old Bollands were friends of a friend of his; but Mrs. Maclahan could only spare the afternoon to take them to the Zoo. She was going to take them to lunch there, and stay a couple of hours with them afterwards.
And the Zoo had great attractions to Christina: greater than an afternoon in the stuffy, dark little house with two old people. Dawn's audacious statements of all he meant to do with the animals stimulated her curiosity. She knew it would be a terrible disappointment if the two boys went without her. Yet in Mr. Bolland's note he had said: "My poor old wife wants cheering up, and is longing to have a little visit from you. Will you do her this kindness, and give us both the pleasure of your company?"
Miss Bertha's teaching came to her mind. She had often said to her:
"Other people's pleasure first, Childie; your own last!"
"I know which I want to do, and which I ought to do," Christina said to herself; "it's such a pity they don't match!"