"No one," she said.
"But the bell rang," said John.
"Of course it did," Will corroborated.
"And somebody must have rung it," John said.
"Some one for a trick, I suppose," Bessie said, "although I don't know how he disappeared so fast."
Without further remark the game was resumed. Edwin had caught John, and John had caught Bessie, and when he was putting the handkerchief round her eyes Mr. Forrester said, "You are making it far too tight, John: you are hurting your sister."
"No fear," said John: "none of us have soft heads here. Is it too tight, Bessie?"
"Rather, but I can bear it: go on."
"I'll slacken it first," Edwin said.
"Thank you, that will do. Now move off or I'll catch you." She went very vigorously to work, and sent them all flying round the kitchen, when the bell rang, and rang loudly, again.