"Doesn't he want to come here?"
"I suppose not," said Fiammetta, whose patience was nearly exhausted. "Do you always ask so many questions?"
"I always ask," Teddy replied candidly, "but people never tells me all I want to know. Sometimes they don't even answer."
"I should think not," cried Viola. "A little boy like you! Run away and play with your horse and cart. Fiammetta has come to see us, not you."
"Have you?" the downright Teddy asked wistfully.
"I've come to see all of you," Fiammetta said graciously, "though I'm really staying with Janey, you know."
"Perhaps you'll come and stay with us too, mother said; without Janey, for a bit," Hermy suggested.
Fiammetta stared.
"Without Janey?" she repeated. "Why?"
Hermy looked rather uncomfortable.