'It's to be hoped not, for I think you've made a young silly of yourself all the same,' remarked Christopher, frankly. 'Whatever made you do it, Babe?'
Barbara looked a little crestfallen. It would be easier to explain their escapade to twenty Canons than to one brother, even when it was a favourite brother like Kit. Jill came hurriedly to the rescue.
'Never mind about that, Kit,' she said. 'Think how lucky it is that she hasn't caught scarlet fever, after all.'
Barbara cheered up. 'Even Angela doesn't think she's going to have it now,' she observed; 'and she's been thinking she's got it, ever since we went into quarantine; so we shall be able to come out again the day after to-morrow. Of course it means sums and flannel petticoats and all those horrible things as well; but still, we shall be able to practise up for the gym display, and that's much more important. You're all coming to the gym display, aren't you?'
'Rather!' said Kit. 'It's the day after the others break up; and even Egbert says he doesn't mind coming, though it's only a girls' school, and he says he doesn't expect much. Of course, Will is awfully keen on coming, and so is Peter; but that's only for the grub, so don't you make any mistake about it.'
'I don't know why Egbert is so mighty grand,' objected Barbara. 'Our gym is really _serious_, I can tell you. You should see Angela on the rings; and as for Jean Murray--why, I forgot! You don't know them yet!'
She disappeared abruptly from the window, while Auntie Anna said something about leaving the young people to themselves, and strolled off towards the house. Kit was attacked with a sudden fit of shyness at the prospect of being presented to two perfectly strange schoolgirls; and he shouted at Barbara to 'come back and chuck it!' But Barbara did not hear him, and he edged behind Jill for protection.
Upstairs, in the 'quorranteen,' Barbara was trying with some difficulty to persuade Jean and Angela to show themselves.
'Oh no!' they both said, getting as far away as possible from the window, and contriving to look neglected. 'Never mind us, Babe; _please_ go on talking to your people.'
'But it's _Kit_!' represented Babs, as if that settled the matter at once. 'He's my favourite brother, and he's a genius, and he's only thirteen, and he has asthma so badly you'd think he was going to die. You _must_ want to know Kit! Besides, Jill is there too.'