arrival, and against whom they had conducted a sullen or a violent
war. From the first it had been different with Miss Humfray. As was
their custom (for this constant change tried tempers) upon the very
day of her arrival they had met her with frank hostility, had declared
mutiny at her first command. But her reception of this attitude they
found a new and astonishing experience. She had not been shocked, had
not been angry, had ventured no threat to tell their mother. Instead,
at the outbreak of defiance, she went into the gayest and most
infectious laughter, kissed them--and they had capitulated before they
realised the event.

A second attempt at mutiny, made upon the following day, met with a
reception equally novel. Again this pretty Miss Humfray had laughed,
but this time had fully sympathised with their view of the point at
issue and had made of the affair a most entrancing game. She, behold,
was a pirate captain; they were the rebellious crew. In five minutes
they had marooned her upon the desert island represented by the
hearthrug; had rowed away with faces which, under her instructions,
were properly stern; and only when she waved the white flag of truce
had they taken her aboard again. Meanwhile the subject of the quarrel
had been forgotten.

Never a dispute arose thereafter. They idolised this pretty Miss
Humfray: whatsoever she said was clearly right.

Here, however, was a dangerous conflict of opinion. They hung back.

"Quickly," Mary repeated. "Kiss him, and say thank-you quickly, or
there will be no story when you are in bed."