In an instant Mr. O'Flagherty was on his feet.
"Here! You spirit of mischief!" he called, and the next moment Dawn was in his arms. "Oh, I thought you'd gone home and left us! Tina is waiting in the cart with a tipsy man and his little girl, and we've had such glorious adventures!"
"And what will Tina's people say to me, you shameless scamp, for keeping her out at this hour! Lead the way, while I follow with the trap. And keep your adventures till we're home. I'd rather not hear them now!"
They reached the high road, and there was the hawker's cart and Christina and Susy sitting hand in hand upon the seat, whilst Susy's father was crouched in the bottom of it.
It did not take long to move Christina, but she would not come till she had taken an affectionate leave of her new friend, and when she was tucked up by Mr. O'Flagherty's side, she called out:
"Good-bye, Susy, and mind you come to our village soon."
Mr. O'Flagherty tossed Susy half a crown, and then whipping up his horse they drove off, and for quite ten minutes both Dawn and Christina were silent, waiting for the scolding that they felt was their due.
It did not come, and at last in a very small voice Dawn said:
"Dad dear, we'd love to tell you our adventures."
"Go ahead then," said his father shortly.