Timmy gave a small wuff. He was watching this night arrival with great interest. Who was she? He was longing to get down from Georges bed and go to sniff at her, but George had her hand on his collar.
Well, Ive brought my dog, and I just reckon shell have to stay now, said Berta. The boats gone back. Anyway, I wouldnt go anywhere without Sally. I told my father that, and he said all right then, take her with you! So I did.
Mother, tell her how fierce Timmy is and that he would fight any other dog who came here, said George, urgently. I wont have anybody elses dog at Kirrin Cottage.
To Georges annoyance her mother took not the slightest notice. She went on helping Berta take off scarves and leggings and goodness knows what. George wondered how anyone could possibly exist in all those clothes on a warm summers night.
At last Berta stood in a simple jersey and skirt, a slim, pretty little girl with large blue eyes and wavy golden hair. She shook back her hair and rubbed her face with a hanky.
Thank you, she said. Can I get Sally my dog now?
Not tonight, said Aunt Fanny. You see, you are to sleep in that little camp-bed over in the corner – and I cant let you have your dog here too, because she and Timmy might fight unless we introduce them to one another properly. And there is no time to bother about that tonight. Do you feel hungry now? Would you like some tomato soup and biscuits?
Yes, please. I do feel a bit hungry, said Berta. Ive been so sick on that awful bumpy boat that I dont expect theres anything left inside me at all!
Well, look – you unpack your little night-case, and have a wash in the bathroom if you want to, and then get into your pyjamas, said Aunt Fanny. Then hop into bed and Ill bring you up some soup.
But one look at the scowling George made her change her mind. Better not leave poor Berta with an angry George on her very first night!
I think perhaps I wont get the soup myself, she said. George, you go and get it, will you? Its warming up in the saucepan on the stove downstairs. Youll see the little soup-cup on the table, and some biscuits too.
George got out of bed, still looking very mutinous. She watched Berta shake out a nightdress from her night-case and pursed up her lips.
She doesnt even wear pyjamas! she thought. What a ninny! And shes had the sauce to bring her own dog, too – spoilt little thing! I wonder where it is? Ive a good mind to have a look at it when Im downstairs.
But her mother had an idea that George might do that and she went to the door after her. George! she said, warningly, I dont want you to open the dogs basket downstairs. Im not having any dog-fights tonight. I shall put him in Timmys kennel outside before I go to bed.
George said nothing but went on downstairs. The soup was just about to boil and she whipped it off the stove at once. She poured it into the little soup-cup, placed it on the saucer, and put some biscuits on the side.
She heard a small whimpering sound, and turned round. It came from a fairly large basket over in the corner. George was terribly tempted to go and undo it – but she knew perfectly well that if the new dog ran upstairs to find its mistress, Timmy would bark and wake everybody up! It wasnt worth risking.
She took up the soup. Berta was now in the camp-bed and looked very cosy. Anne was still sleeping peacefully, quite undisturbed by all that was going on. Timmy had taken the opportunity of jumping off Georges bed and had gone to examine this newcomer. He sniffed her delicately, and Berta put out her hand and stroked his head.
What lovely eyes hes got, she said. But hes a mongrel, isnt he? A sort of mixture-dog.
Dont you say anything like that to George, said Aunt Fanny. She adores Timmy. Now – do you feel better? I hope youll be happy with us, Berta, dear – I am sure you didnt want to come – but your father was so worried. And it will be nice for you to get to know Anne and Georgina before you go to their school next term.
Oh – was that Georgina – the one you called George? said Berta in surprise. I wasnt really sure if she was a boy or not. My father told me there were three boys here and one girl – and thats the girl, isnt it – in bed there?
She pointed to Anne. Aunt Fanny nodded. Yes, thats Anne. Your father thought George was a boy, thats why he told you there were three boys and only one girl here, I suppose. The two boys are in the next room.
I dont like George very much, said Berta. She doesnt want me here, does she – or my dog?
Oh, youll find George great fun when you get to know her, said Aunt Fanny. Here she comes now with your soup.
George came in with the soup, and was not at all pleased to see Timmy standing by the camp-bed, being petted by Berta. She set the soup down sharply, and pushed Timmy away.
Thank you, said Berta, and took the soup-cup eagerly into her hands. What lovely soup! she said. George got into bed and turned over on her side. She knew she was behaving badly, but the thought of someone daring to bring another dog to live at Kirrin Cottage was more than she could bear.
Timmy leapt up to lie at her feet as usual. Berta looked at this with much approval.
Ill have Sally on my feet tomorrow! she said. Thats an awfully good idea. Pops – thats my father – always let me have Sally in my room, but she had to be in her basket, not on my bed. Tomorrow night she can sleep on my feet, like Timmy does on Georges.
She will not, said George, in a fierce voice. No dog sleeps in my bedroom except Timmy.
Now dont talk any more, said Aunt Fanny, hurriedly. We can settle everything tomorrow when youre not so tired. Ill look after Sally tonight for you, I promise. Lie down now and go to sleep. You look as if youre half asleep already!
Berta was suddenly overcome with sleep and flopped down into bed. Her eyes closed, but she managed to force them open and look up at Georges mother.
Good night, Aunt Fanny, she said, sleepily. Thats what I was to call you, wasnt it? Thank you for being so kind to me.
She was asleep almost before she had finished speaking. Aunt Fanny took up the soup-cup and went to the door. Are you awake, George? she said.
George lay absolutely still. She knew that her mother was not pleased with her. It would be better to pretend to be fast asleep!
I am sure you are awake, said her mother. And I hope you are ashamed of yourself. I shall expect you to make up for this silly behaviour in the morning. It is a pity to behave in such a childish manner!
She went out of the room, closing the door softly. George put out her hand to Timmy. She was ashamed of herself, but she wasnt at all certain that she would behave better in the morning. That silly, soppy girl! Her dog would be as silly as herself, she was sure! And Timmy would simply hate having another dog in the house. He would probably growl and snarl to such a degree that Berta would be forced to send her dog away.
And a good thing too, murmured George, as Timmy licked her fingers lovingly. You dont want another girl in the house or another dog either, do you Timmy? Especially a girl like that!
Aunt Fanny saw to Bertas dog, and put her safely into Timmys kennel outside. It had a little door to it, which could be shut, so the dog was safe there, and would not be able to run out.
She went back into the house, cleared up Bertas belongings a little, for they had been thrown higgledy-piggledy into the room, and then turned out the light.
She went upstairs to bed. Her husband had slept soundly all through Bertas late arrival. He had been very sure that he would wake up and welcome the girl as well as his wife, but he hadnt even stirred!
Aunt Fanny was glad. It was much easier for her to deal with a seasick, frightened girl by herself. She climbed thankfully into bed and lay down with a sigh.