“Ay, that’s Sally, I suppose. She’s always hiding her eggs is Sally, where I can’t find them. So it was Tiza found them, was it, Missy? Well, they will come, in very handy for supper as it happens. Thank you kindly for bringing them in.”
And Mrs. Backhouse took the eggs and put them safely away in a pie-dish, while Becky secretly pulled Milly by the sleeve, and smiled up at her as much as to say,
“Thank you for helping Tiza out of her scrape.”
“And you’ll let Becky and Tiza come to tea?” asked Milly again.
“Well, I’m sure, Miss, I don’t know,” said Mrs. Backhouse, looking puzzled; “Becky may come and welcome, but perhaps it would do Tiza good to stay at home.”
“Don’t you think she’d better have a little change?” said Aunt Emma in her kind voice, which made Milly want to hug her. “I daresay staying indoors so long made her restless. If you will let me carry them both off, I daresay between us, Mrs. Backhouse, we can give Tiza a talking to, and perhaps she’ll come back in a more sensible mood.”
“Well, Miss Elliot, she shall go if you wish it. Come Becky, give me the baby, and go and put your things on.” And then going to the door, Mrs. Backhouse shouted “Tiza!” After a second or two a little figure dropped down out of the cherry tree and came slowly up the walk. Tiza had shaken her hair about her face so that it could hardly be seen, and she never looked once at Aunt Emma and Milly as she came up to her mother.
“There, go along, Tiza, and get your things on,” said Mrs. Backhouse, taking her by the arm. “I wouldn’t have let you go out to tea, you know, if Miss Elliot and Missy hadn’t asked particular. Mind you don’t get into no more mischief. And very like those eggs’ll do for father’s supper; so, I daresay, I’ll not say anything to him this time—just for once. Now go up.”
Tiza didn’t want to be told twice, and presently, just as Mr. and Mrs. Norton and Olly were coming back from their walk, they met Aunt Emma coming back from the farm holding Becky’s hand, while Milly and Tiza walked in front.
“Well, Tiza,” said Mr. Norton, patting her curly head, I declare I think you beat Olly for mischief. Olly never spoilt my dinner yet, that I remember. What should I do to him do you think, if he did?”