But she made up her mind at last, and trotted off to the Bollands under the guardianship of Blanche.
"I wouldn't be in the mistress' place for a good deal!" Blanche informed her as they walked along the street. "I wouldn't take those two imps of mischief to the Zoo for any money that might be given me!"
"Oh," said Christina, "I would like to be with them."
"Then it's a lucky thing for you that you're out of it. Master Dawn had a pocket pistol in his hand; if he frights the lions or elephants, there 'll be a regular row. I remember a boy who teased an elephant, and he was tossed up to the roof by the furious animal, and stamped to death and out of recognition, before his own mother's eyes!"
Christina shuddered.
"Don't frighten me about Dawn," she said. "I don't think he would tease the lions, because he's very fond of animals."
She was received very warmly by Mrs. Bolland, and quite enjoyed her lunch. Mr. Bolland told her funny stories, and after it was over showed her a sketchbook of his, with an amusing account of a tour he had once taken abroad: Then Christina sat down on a stool at Mrs. Bolland's feet, and in her soft childish way talked to her about the boys and Miss Bertha and her home. And she soon touched upon the subject that was never out of her thoughts—the fear that she might disgrace her family by proving herself a coward.
"I've only just missed it so often," she said sadly. "And I would like so much to be able to lay my hand on my heart as Dawn does, and say, 'Fear dwells not here!'"
"What are you afraid of most?" asked the old lady sympathetically.
Christina considered.