"There, take it. The basin is cracked, so it won't be missed; but this is the very last time, Miss Freda."
The children hurried away with their basin. They smuggled it into the house, and softly crept along the passages till they came to their empty room. Once inside, they breathed more freely.
"I feel as if we're being rather sly," said Freda, "but it's Nurse who makes us so. If we hadn't a nurse we wouldn't be sly."
"But do you think Mums would like it?" questioned Daffy.
"I think if she had time to sit still till we explained she would understand. Jesus Christ wouldn't have told people they ought to do it if it wasn't right. He says distinctly: 'I was a stranger, and ye took Me in.' This old man is a stranger and we're going to take him in."
"Yes," said Daffy; "it must be right."
They looked round the room. Everything seemed ready. Freda cautiously unlocked the big French window, which led out upon the balcony.
"Suppose he doesn't stay in his bedroom," suggested Daffy, "and comes walking over the house, and Nurse met him, or Mums did, what would they say?"
"He wouldn't be likely to walk over the house in the middle of the night. He would want to sleep. But the key is on the passage side of the door; we would lock him in."
"Yes; he could get out and in by the window. Freda, will he stay more than one night?"