"Till who comes?" Gwenda asked.
She stared at the three with a fierce amazement. And they were abashed.
"She doesn't know, Steve," said Mary.
"I certainly don't," said Gwenda.
She sat down beside Ally.
"Has anybody been bullying you, Ally?"
"They've all been bullying me except Steven. Steven's been an angel.
He doesn't believe what they say. Papa says I'm a shameful girl, and
Mary says I took Jim Greatorex from Essy. And they think——"
"Never mind what they think, darling."
"I must protest——"
The Vicar would have burst out again but that his son-in-law restrained him.