horrid as I can be to them. But I'll let that nasty Celestina see I'm
right and she's wrong. I _will_.'




CHAPTER X

BIDDY'S ESCAPADE

'And Dick, though pale as any ghost,
Had only said to me,
"We're all right now, old lad."'
_Author of 'John Halifax.'_


Miss Neale was rather in a hurry to get home that afternoon, so she and
Celestina did not linger at the tea-table as they sometimes did. By
half-past four they had gone, for on Miss Neale's account tea had been
ordered half an hour earlier than usual.

Rosalys disappeared--mamma wanted her, she said. So Bridget was left
alone, for Rough had begun school some time ago. He rode over every
morning, and got home again about six.

'I wonder if papa is in,' thought Biddy idly, for a moment or two half
inclined to see if she might pay him a visit in the study. But then she
remembered that he had been out all day, and that he was not expected
home till dinner-time. There were not many very poor people at Seacove,
but there were a great many young men and boys always about the wharf,