"Who is that, Beryl?" asked her little sister, indicating the young stranger, who had greeted her by stroking her chin, and pulling her hair. "Did you know he was coming?"
"No, or I would not have gone to the station," returned Beryl indignantly.
"Why not? Don't you like him?" asked Coral.
"No, he is as horrid as can be!" was Beryl's whispered confidence. "I wish he had not come. I can't think why papa brought him."
"How is he horrid?" questioned Coral, wishing to arrive at a clear understanding of Beryl's reasons for objecting to the presence of the young guest.
"Oh, I don't know," returned Beryl impatiently. "I hate boys!"
[CHAPTER XVIII]
BERYL'S TORMENTOR
BERYL was very vexed to have missed the quiet talk with her father which she had hoped to secure by going to meet him at the railway station. She was anxious to consult him on a subject which to her seemed of the utmost importance. It was too provoking that the presence of "that tiresome boy" should have deprived her of the opportunity.
The children had not forgotten Mr. Holly's promise that Beryl should have a birthday treat, when he came home in the autumn. They had often talked of it, and there had been much discussion as to what would be the nicest kind of treat they could enjoy. One pleasure after another had been planned and then thrown aside at the suggestion of something better.