"Well, if this doesn't pass everything!" she was heard to exclaim angrily. "And to think of me hunting for those very same hats for the last quarter of an hour till I'm that tired. Your tricks, Master Chris, are beyond bearing. You'll please come down with me this minute and fetch those very same hats."
"I shall put them all back when we come home," Chris remarked rebelliously, as he began to walk downstairs in company with the irate Briggs.
"We'll see what we'll see,—and you'll see. That's all I say," she answered with some loftiness. "I have no mind to have things put out of their proper place, and me have all this trouble given me."
After which oracular speech, and because she was approaching the last flight of stairs leading into the hall, she reserved all further expressions of indignation till she and Chris were once more on the familiar ground of the nursery.
As for the little beggar, it was with many a furtive glance at Uncle Godfrey, who was still writing, that he crossed the hall. He hoped to escape without notice, and, looking mysteriously at Granny and myself, walked by Briggs' side on tiptoe. But his pains were wasted.
"Yes, I know you're there," Uncle Godfrey said, without turning his head, and relaxing into a smile. "What mischief have you been up to this time?"
"I put my hats with your hats, 'cause I liked them to be with yours, and I didn't want to be a baby and have my hats in the nursery," explained Chris, encouraged by something in his uncle's voice to run to his side and lay his cheek affectionately on his coat-sleeve.
"Then, in future, just you keep your hats where you are told to," Uncle Godfrey said, laughing. "Don't you be such an independent little beggar."
"No," replied Chris obediently, relieved at receiving no severer reprimand.
"And come and kiss your Granny," Granny said gently and caressingly, as he passed her. "Do you love her very much?"