"Colin, how dare you laugh at me?" she called out in a fury. She was frightened as well as angry, for she really had a strange fear of the big cat.
"I'm not laughing," Colin began again, looking quite serious. "I had to give you Manchon's message."
[Illustration: 'WHAT IS ZE MATTER WIF YOU, BEE?' HE SAID]
Rosy looked at Bee. If there had been the least shadow of a smile on Bee's face it would have made her still more angry. But Beata looked grave, because she felt so.
"Oh, I wish they wouldn't quarrel," she was thinking to herself. "It does so spoil everything. I can't think how Colin can tease Rosy so."
And sadly, feeling already tired, and not knowing what was best to do, Beata followed the others to the nursery. They did not seem to care—Colin was already whistling, and though Rosy's face was still black, no one paid any attention to it.
But little Fixie ran to Bee and held up his fresh sweet face for a kiss.
"What is ze matter wif you, Bee?" he said. "You's c'ying. Colin, Losy, Bee's c'ying," he exclaimed.
"You're not, are you, Bee?" said Colin.
"Are you, really?" said Rosy, coming close to her and looking into her face.