But she ran to him, and putting her arms around his neck, kissed him affectionately.
"Oh, George!" she cried, "don't, don't be sorry any more. I was very, very silly to mind!"
"No, no," blubbered the boy. "It was wicked and cowardly of me to frighten you; but I never thought you would care so much. You will forgive me, Stella, won't you?"
"Oh, yes, yes."
"I'll never do it again, and I'll always stick up for you. You're a brick—a regular brick!"
Stella flushed with pleasure, and turned to kiss her aunt. Mrs. Knight looked pale and tired, and Stella saw she had been weeping too.
"I have made a great fuss, and given every one a lot of trouble," the little girl remarked sadly.
"Father will hardly speak to me, he's so angry," George said. "I wish you would ask him to forgive me, Stella."
"I will."
She went downstairs to the surgery where her uncle was preparing to go out. He caught her in his arms, and asked her how she felt.