He leaned towards her. "Have you, my fairy queen? Well, I'm here at last."
Avery, from the head of the schoolroom table, looked across at them with a feeling of fulness at her heart. She never liked Piers so well as when she saw him in company with her little favourite. His gentleness and chivalry made of him a very perfect knight.
"Yes," said Jeanie, giving his hand a little squeeze. "We're going to have our Christmas Tree to-night, and Dr. Tudor is coming. You don't like him, I know. But he's really quite a nice man."
She spoke the last words pleadingly, in response to a slight frown between Piers' brows.
"Oh, is he?" said Piers, without enthusiasm.
"He's been very kind," said Jeanie in a tone of apology.
"He'd better be anything else—to you!" said Piers, with a smile that was somewhat grim.
Jeanie's fingers caressed his again propitiatingly. "Do let's all be nice to each other just for to-night!" she said.
Piers' smile became tender again. "As your gracious majesty decrees!" he said. "Where is the ceremony to be held?"
"Up in the nursery. We've had the little ones in here all day, while
Mother and Nurse have been getting it ready. I haven't seen it yet."