You're our very own immigrants!"
"It's nice to be owned by some one who isn't my step-mother," said Tommy
happily. "I began to think I was hers, body and soul--when she appeared
on that awful moment in Liverpool. I made sure all hope was over. Bob
says I shouldn't have panicked, but then Bob had not been a toad under
her harrow for two years."
"I'm very glad you panicked, since it sent you straight into our arms,"
said Norah. "If we had met you in an ordinary, stodgy way--you and Bob
presenting your letter of introduction, and we saying 'How do you do?'
politely--it would have taken us ages to get to know you properly.
And as it was, we jumped into being friends. You did look such a poor,
hunted little soul as you came dodging across that street!"
"And you took me on trust, when, for all you know, the police might have
been after me," said Tommy. "Well, we won't forget; not that I suppose
Bob and I will ever be able to pay you back."
"Good gracious, we don't want paying back!" exclaimed Norah, wrinkling
her nose disgustedly. "Don't talk such utter nonsense, Tommy Rainham.
And just hurry up and unpack, because tea will be ready at half-past
six."
"My goodness!" exclaimed the English girl, to whom dinner at half-past
seven was a custom of life not lightly to be altered. "And I haven't
half unpacked, and oh, where is my blue frock? I don't believe I've
brought it.
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