Christina's face was a study. Terror, amazement and interest were followed by a dawning smile of comprehension.
"Do you think," she said, almost in a whisper, "that they were boys?"
Miss Loder whispered back:
"I think they were."
And then she and her small pupil laughed merrily, until Christina remembered to be shocked.
"How could they dare to do it?" she exclaimed.
"Well," said Miss Loder; "now I have seen you, I understand. You are so little to be bullied. Shall we be good friends, Christina? Will you give me a kiss, dear, and believe that I mean to be kind to you?"
Christina responded very quickly. She put her arms round Miss Loder's neck.
"I love you," she said, and her late fears fled away, never to return.
When tea was on the table half an hour later, Puggy marched in very independently.