The big boys made queer muffled sounds, but Tony said gravely:
"Well, if you could stand, just a little to the left--or better still, won't you come and sit with us? You'd see just as well."
Punch came, and was duly ensconced between Tony and one of the boys, with a share of rug over his short legs.
"Where's Lallie?" he asked; "she's not been to see us for ages, nor to sing for me."
"Lallie is coming home the day after to-morrow. Are you glad? I am," said Tony, and he looked it.
"Why did she go away so long for?"
"Well, you see, the lady she was staying with begged her to stay on and on, and she's very fond of that lady; but she's really coming home on Saturday."
"Will she come to see me on Saturday?"
"I'm not sure. You see she mightn't get home very early, but I think she'll come and see you on Sunday afternoon if you'll be at home."
"I'll be at home," said Punch firmly; "I won't go to the children's service with Pris and Prue."