This time Toby's fingers closed tightly upon her own. "Sure?" said Toby.
"Quite sure," said Maud, smiling at her.
Toby turned sharply and pinched Bunny's elbow as he leaned from the window. He drew himself in and stared at her.
"You're making too much noise," she told him curtly. "You go and racket downstairs!"
Bunny's eyes widened for a second in indignant amazement, then abruptly he threw up his chin and laughed. "I like you!" he declared. "You're the cockiest thing in girls I've ever seen!"
Toby pulled at his elbow like a small, persistent dog. "Go on!" she commanded. "Go down to them! Mrs. Bolton and I want to have our tea alone. I'll come and play with you presently—if you're good."
It was spoken wholly without coquetry, much as an elder brother might speak to a younger. It was plain that she meant to have her way, though Maud, who knew that there was a very strong mixture of stubbornness in Bunny, wondered much if she would get it. Amusement, however, kept the upper hand with him. Toby's treatment evidently appealed strongly to his sense of humour. Perhaps her determination also made its impression upon him, for after a little more chaff on his part and brisk insistence on hers he departed, laughing, to join the children.
Toby saw him to the door and returned calm and triumphant.
"Well done!" said Maud. "You know how to deal with spoilt children evidently."
Toby looked at her sharply as she sat down, almost as if she expected a double meaning to the words.