Kitty's manner was not gracious. She considered her brother fickle because he seemed inclined to like Tim Shuttleworth, and she marched off into the garden by herself. She was watching her new pet contentedly munching a tender young lettuce when the boys joined her.
"Isn't she a beauty?" she said, addressing Tim, who had been rather surprised he had not been told of the rabbit before.
"Yes," he answered, colouring; adding, somewhat awkwardly, "I'm glad you like it."
"Of course I like it. I've called it Fluffy. I hope I shall be able to keep this one safer than the last."
"I—I hope so," Tim faltered. "I don't think it can come to any harm here. Fluffy is a very good name for it."
"By the way, Kitty, the Hatches are gone," said Bob. "We passed their house this afternoon, and it was shut up; they must have gone early this morning. Tom told me he should come to B— for the Grammar School Sports next month, though; so perhaps you'll be able to speak to him about the rabbit then."
"Oh, yes," agreed Kitty; "that will do very well. No one has come for the basket, Bob; it's still hanging up in the scullery; I noticed it just now."
Tim started, suddenly remembering the covered basket, which, until this moment, he had entirely forgotten he had left behind him the night before when Snip had startled him into flight. Could that be the basket to which Kitty referred? Yes, it must be. He stood pondering, turning over in his mind the best way of letting his companions know that this new pet was his present, and at length, by way of leading up to the point, he asked, with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes:
"When did you get the rabbit?"
"Last night," Kitty responded. "It's a present from one of Bob's school friends."