But Puggy was bent on going up the steps that moment, and would have dragged his shrinking little companion after him if a call from Mrs. Maclahan had not stopped him.
Christina hailed the appearance of her stepmother with relief and delight.
"Why, what on earth are you doing here?" she asked, as she came up to them.
Puggy explained, and his sister laughed merrily.
"A ghost! What nonsense! And Tina believes it from the look in her eyes! Come down to the library both of you. We're having tea there, and your father wants to see you, Tina. We'll ask him about the ghost. To-morrow you can explore the house as much as you like."
So down to the library they went, and the blazing fire and the cosy tea that Mr. and Mrs. Maclahan were enjoying did much to drive away Christina's fresh fears.
"No," said Mr. Maclahan, taking hold of his small daughter and perching her on his knee; "we have no ghosts in this house I am glad to say. I used to have the turret room at the top of those stairs as my den as a boy, and if you think well, Ena dear, we will turn it over to these children now."
"I think it would be a capital idea. I fancy Puggy is too much like me to care to be long in that ill-ventilated nursery."
Christina did not know whether to be glad or sorry that she was to be introduced to the unknown room; but Puggy was enthusiastic. He turned to her father with a comic look of perplexity on his face.
"Please what am I to call you? Herbert, like Ena does?"