"Look!" cried Marjolaine. "The Eyesore's invading the whole Walk!"
But little Barbara cared. Also her momentary remorse had entirely vanished. If she had been on a tree she would have hopped from branch to branch. As it was she hopped all across the lawn, clapping her hands and twittering. "Oh! I can't bother about him!" she said. "Let him invade! Oh! it's such a splendid idea! Oh! you 're such a clever girl! Oh! my goodness, what shall I do?"
Marjolaine was anxious on the Eyesore's account. Were the Admiral to see him, there would be a terrible outburst of anger. "I'll speak to him," she said, summoning all her courage, "I 'll save him from Sir Peter's wrath!"
"No! no!" cried Barbara; "stick to business! Tell me more about the bird!"
"Stand by me!" entreated Marjolaine. "Hold my hand!"
"I daren't! I'm frightened!" cried Barbara, "and—and—and I want to begin teaching the bird!"
"Treacherous Barbara!" cried Marjolaine. But before the words were out of her mouth Barbara had scuttled into the house and slammed the door.
And before Marjolaine had recovered from that shock the Eyesore had hurled his hat and smock into the Gazebo, and she was in Jack's arms.
CHAPTER X
IN WHICH THE MYSTERIOUS LADY REAPPEARS
AND HELPS JACK TO VANISH