This appealed to them all; even Chris did not see any harm in it, but there was a terrible outcry from Noel when Inez attempted to break some little branches from his Christmas tree.
He thumped her in the back and yelled.
Inez only laughed.
"His under branches ought to be cut off," she said, "it would do him good. He's got too many of them."
"Cut your hair off!" cried Noel. "I'll cut some of it, you've got too much of it, and it will burn beautiful."
He picked up the garden shears and pursued her round the garden. Inez enjoyed the chase. They were all laughing, when suddenly a visitor appeared in their midst. She had walked out of one of the French windows in the drawing-room and come down the garden to them. It was Miss Constance Trent.
Noel dropped his shears and rushed at her.
"My Cherub!" she exclaimed as she embraced him. "I was feeling so dull his afternoon that I suddenly thought I would come and see you all and your mother. I have just been told that she's away."
In a moment she had sat down amongst them and made herself at home.
"I think I must stay and play with you. Captain Melton has gone back to London, and I've nobody who wants me."