Miss Bird was too overcome for the moment to give words to her horror, but she put her arm round Joan, who winced in her turn, and said, "Not that shoulder," through her convulsive sobs.
"Don't be silly, Joan," said Nancy firmly. "William will wonder what is the matter, and you know what you will get if you let it out. Starling darling, you won't say anything to anybody, will you? It will be much worse for us if you do, and after all when a bruise gets blue and green it doesn't hurt so very much."
"Do you mean to say that she beats you?" exclaimed Miss Bird, her eyebrows almost up to her hat-brim. "Then I shall go at once to Mrs. Clinton the moment I get into the house and tell her that——"
Joan threw her arms round her neck and laughed. "Angel lamb!" she said, "it's too bad to tease her. She's just as green and sweet as ever."
"Oh, why do you spoil everything?" exclaimed Nancy. Then she too relented and added her embraces to Joan's. "Oh, you're too priceless," she said. "Are you really glad to see us again?"
"Well I suppose I must not be angry and I know your naughty ways too well," said Miss Bird, "but you gave me quite a turn and I suppose really Miss Phipp is all she should be and you love her very much as you ought to do and it is only natural that those who are near should take the place of those who are far."
"I believe she's really disappointed that Pipp doesn't beat us black and blue," said Joan. "But she'll never take your place, Starling, my own. You're the one and only. I suppose you know we're aunts again. Walter and Muriel have got a boy."
"A boy!" exclaimed Miss Bird, enraptured. "Now that is good news and how delighted your father will be the pet how I should like to see him."
"Starling darling," expostulated Nancy. "You will see him directly, but father won't like your calling him a pet."
Miss Bird blushed. "You know very well I should say no such thing, Nancy," she said; "it was the baby I meant if you repeat that untruth in the house I shall go straight back where I came from."