"Who," demanded Randolph sternly, "will sew our buttons on?"
"And who'll give me my baf?" cried Jimmie.
"Or help us with our lessons?" put in Laura.
"Well, we'll see!" Miss Smith came back brightly. I believe that young woman is genuinely fond of children. "What are you playing just now?"
They all began to explain at once.
"Shall I leave you with them?" I murmured.
"Yes—I'll stay a minute or two," she nodded—and I tiptoed out to await doom.
When I returned a few minutes later, I heard to my surprise Griselda's voice, just before I opened the door, rising to the full height of her indignation:
"If this is no fitting, then nothing is fitting—" whereupon I opened the door.
The children had disappeared. Griselda with flashing eyes was literally towering over poor Miss Smith. Evidently Griselda had been bearing testimony. Most excellent witness, Griselda! What chance had any Miss Smith against a rock of sheer personality like Griselda?