Christina was past minding moldings, but she did not get any; her stepmother never alluded to the incident. It was her father who called her to him with a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, my little lassie, you are a staunch champion for the oppressed, I find. You have begun early. It is a pity you have not the corresponding power necessary, but a great many champions wish for that!"
"Don't talk nonsense," said his wife; "the child won't understand you. When she gets older she will think differently."
Mr. Maclahan said no more, but Christina was not to hear the last of it.
Two days afterwards Dawn came across to invite Christina and Puggy to tea.
"It's dad's invitation, not mine, and it's a very special one, and Aunt Rachael has made a big cake and some little ones."
Miss Loder gave her consent. Dawn came to escort them there, and on the way he informed them that the tea was in Christina's honour.
"Dad's awfully pleased with Tina taking the fox's part the other day. I told him all about it. He's begun a fresh picture, and he's going to put her into it; at least, it's either her or me, I'm not sure which: but I've been standing like Christina did, and dad is painting me, and I have to wear a girl's frock. Just fancy! But you see dad is an artist, and the son of an artist has to do everything; it's like my wearing curls, it has to be, because we care more about pictures than what people say!"
"I think it's all rot!" said Puggy. "No man would do what Christina did!"
Christina was by this time rather ashamed of her daring. Puggy was most emphatic in his condemnation of it, and yet as she assured Miss Loder: