“Oh, such a horrid dream!” Hilda half sobbed. “How glad I am that it isn’t so!”
“What was it?” Katherine asked, still crossly; severity she thought the best attitude towards Hilda’s fright.
“About the river, down in the hole; I was choking, and my legs and arms were all tangled in roots.”
“Well, go to sleep now,” Katherine advised.
Hilda was obediently silent, but presently a small, supplicating voice was heard.
“Katherine—I’m so sorry—don’t be angry—might I come to you? I’m so frightened.”
“Come along,” said Katherine, still severely, but she put her arms very fondly around her shivering sister, snuggled her consolingly and kissed her.
“Silly little Hilda,” she said.
CHAPTER VI
THREE days before the arrival of Gladys le Breton, Mrs. Marchant, Lord Calverly, and Sir John (the Damians only did not accept Alicia’s invitation), Mary Odd astonished her brother.