Celestina scarcely knew how to answer this, though she felt there was something wrong about her little companion's way of looking at things. But Celestina had not much power of putting her thoughts and feelings into words. Her solitary life had made her a very silent child, not intentionally, but by habit. She found it difficult to express her meaning even to herself. Just now she gazed at Biddy without speaking, so that Biddy began to laugh.
'What are you looking at me so for?' asked the younger child.
'I don't know,' said Celestina. 'I was only thinking.'
'You should help too, even though you're the youngest,' said Celestina bluntly.
They were at the Rectory gate by this time.
'Good-bye, Miss Biddy,' said Celestina. 'I must run home fast. But I don't think it's late.'
'Good-bye,' said Biddy. 'I've got my shells; have you got yours? Oh yes,' as Celestina held up a tiny little basket she was carrying. 'How dreadfully careful you are! Good-night. I'll ask mamma to let me come and see you very soon.'
On her way up the short drive to the house Bridget came face to face with Randolph.
'Oh, you're there, are you?' he said. 'Mamma was just asking if you'd come in, so I came to look out for you.'
Biddy was silent. This did not seem very like mamma's 'not caring,' as she had been saying to Celestina.
'It isn't late,' she remarked at last. 'Mamma said I might stay half an hour.'
'She was beginning to worry about you a little, all the same,' said Rough. 'Were you with the little Fairchild girl?'
'Is she a nice little girl?' asked Rough.
'Then why don't you like her? Why are you so cross?' asked her brother.
'I'm not cross, and I never said I didn't like her,' replied Bridget impatiently.
'I can't say I agree with you,' he said. 'Well, I'll run on and tell mamma you're all right;' and off he set.
Biddy followed him slowly, feeling rather depressed.
'I didn't mean to be cross,' she said to herself in her usual way, though she really did feel what she said this time. 'It was kind of Roughie to come to meet me. They're all good 'acept me. Celestina's good too. I'm made all the wrong way,' and she sighed deeply.
She brightened up again, however, when she met her mother at the door.
'That's right, Biddy dear,' said Mrs. Vane. 'You've not stayed too late.'