Freda and Daffy giggled. Dreamikins' face kept quite grave. Then Freda thought she had better explain.
"It's Dreamikins' guardian angel—at least she says it is."
"Oh, I understand now," said Miss Fletcher quietly. "Well, Emmeline, we'll say there are five of us at the table; if three of us went out of the room, how many would remain?"
But Dreamikins did not answer. She was thinking of other things. Then she smiled sweetly at her governess.
"Fibo says—Fibo is my uncle who lives here—Fibo says you're a most charming lady, and he'll fall in love with you violently—yes, violently—and long for you to live here altogether!"
The colour came into Miss Fletcher's cheeks.
"Emmeline," she said quietly, "this is the first day, so I shall make no rules, but to-morrow there must be no talking in lesson-time except about the lessons themselves."
Something in Miss Fletcher's tones reduced Dreamikins to silence. Miss Fletcher turned to Freda and Daffy, and went on questioning them.
Presently a meek little voice said:
"Please, I are waiting to answer."