Part 7 (2/2)

Soed, looking very indignant

'A nice way to play,' she said, 'setting Laddie on to me when you couldn't find me yourselves'

They tried to explain, but Tricksy's eyes were full of conterow taller with offended dignity

'Such a nice hiding-place,' she said; 'and now you've gone and spoilt it all'

'Don't be a little silly, Tricksy,' said Reggie to her in an undertone; and Tricksy allowed her dignity to subside

Fresh hiding-places were chosen; and when at last the young people were so tired as to be disinclined to run anyindoors to see whether tea were ready

The dining-rooo into the kitchen and see what Elspeth is about,' said Marjorie; 'perhaps the servants are forgetting us'

In the stone-floored kitchen, whither they all trooped after Marjorie, Elspeth was sitting knitting by the fireside

'Elspeth, when is tea going to be ready?' inquired Marjorie, rather iain at her knitting with pretended indifference

'Tea, Miss Marjorie? I wass thinking you would not be wanting any tea to-day'

Marjorie's lips tightened, but she kept down the rising temper with an effort

'Why not?' she asked 'Here are Allan and Reggie and Tricksy from Ardnavoir; and ant our tea, please'

Elspeth looked up, and seemed to see the others for the first tientle , Miss Marjorie if you please? They are spoiling my kitchen floor'

This request an shi+fting froht more mud into the house than the authorities were at all likely to approve of

'All right,' said Marjorie i in any further; but will you please get tea ready for us as soon as you can?'

'Get tea ready! And how airdle hass been taken away out of the kitchen? I cannot bescones on the open fire'

Marjorie turned red and bit her lip

'Oh, never irdle,' she said 'We'll do without scones for one day'

'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, I never saw tea without scones That n parts, but there never wass tea in the West Highlands without scones; and I will be thinking you will have to wait till the girdle coain'

A flash darted out of Marjorie's eyes; and she remained rooted to the spot for a minute Then she took a sudden resolve and turned away, elbowing the others out of the room

'Cat!' she muttered; 'I'll be even with her yet Never et it for ourselves Get cups and things out of the pantry, Haie, you coh up froround and was secured by several iron bars