"Isn't a fellow uncle to his sister's child?"
Nurse smiled.
"You are no relation to Miss Tina, leastways only a step-uncle."
"Well, that's good enough."
He nodded across at Christina triumphantly.
There was not much more talk between them till after tea, and then somehow or other Christina's shyness melted away, and she found herself talking to Puggy as she talked to Dawn. She told him all about her little playfellow; she showed him her toys and games; and he in his turn waxed confidential.
"I'd like to know that fellow. I believe I saw him at the station; there was a boy with a mop of hair who stared at me as if I were a gorilla. I'll teach him manners when I see him! Look here, just come over the house with me. I want to know my way about."
"But," said Christina feebly, "I don't know my way properly. All the rooms have been locked up till father came home."
"Come on, and let's find them out now. We must do something. It's too slow in this old nursery!"
Christina looked round to ask permission of Nurse, but she had disappeared. So feeling as if she were going into a strange country, she followed the enterprising Puggy out on the landing, and they commenced their investigations. The corridors were long, and some rooms were still locked up, but they peeped into a good many, and at last found themselves before an old arched door at the very end of the upper corridor. One of the under housemaids appeared from the back stairs, and looked quite astonished when she saw the children. Christina spoke to her.