CHAPTER III.
PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT.
Penelope held up a chubby hand, which Miss Tredgold pretended not to see.
“Go on in front, little girl,” she said. “Don’t paw me. I hate being pawed by children.”
Penelope’s back became very square as she listened to these words, and the red which suffused her face went right round her neck. But she walked solemnly on in front without a word.
“Aunties are unpleasant things,” she said to herself; “but, all the same, I mean to fuss over this one.”
Here she opened a door, flung it wide, and cried out to her parent:
“Paddy, here comes Aunt Sophia Tredgold.”
But she spoke to empty air—Mr. Dale was still busy over his toilet.