'Oh, dear, that's a pity! I thought if you could catch a cold I might be able to get you out.'
'Oh!' Dick thought for a moment, and then coughed slightly.
'It will have to be a very bad cold, I think.'
Dick's cough became violent at once, and when Chris led Summers into the vicinity of the dairy a few minutes later the cold had developed alarmingly. Summers heard, and a quizzical and suspicious eye followed Christina.
'He—he doesn't appear to be a very strong boy, Mr. Summers,' said the young woman with obvious artfulness.
'Strong as a bullock,' said Summers.
'He looked very pale, I thought, and that place is damp—damp and dangerous.'
Summers dangled the keys.
'Let the rascal go,' he said. 'Justice will never be done wi'in range o' those bright eyes. Let the young villain loose.'
Chris liberated the boy, and filled his pockets with fruit before sending him away.