Новые приключения Великолепной Пятерки

[686] They told her. The little girl's face grew dark and angry when she heard how the tutor had put his foot down about Timothy, even when her father had himself suggested that the dog might come indoors.

[687] 'Oh, what a beast he is!' she cried. 'How I do hate him! I'll pay him out for this. I will, I will!'

[688] She rushed out of the room. They heard her fumbling in the hall, and then the front door banged.

[689] 'She's gone out into the dark,' said Julian. ‘I bet she's gone to Timmy. Poor old George. Now she'll be worse than ever!'

[690] That night George could not sleep. She lay and tossed in her bed, listening for Timothy. She heard him cough. She heard him whine. He was cold, she knew he was. She had put plenty of fresh straw into his kennel and had turned it away from the cold north wind - but he must feel the bitter night terribly, after sleeping for so long on her bed!

[691] Timothy gave such a hollow cough that George could bear it no longer. She must, she simply must, get up and go down to him. 'I shall bring him into the house for a little while and rub his chest with some of that stuff Mother uses for herself when she's got a cold on her chest,' thought the girl. 'Perhaps that will do him good.'

[692] She quickly put a few clothes on and crept downstairs. The whole house was quiet. She slipped out into the yard and undid Tim's chain. He was delighted to see her and licked her hands and face lovingly.

[693] 'Come along into the warm for a little while,' whispered the little girl. I'll rub your poor chest with some oil I've got.'

[694] Timmy pattered behind her into the house. She took him to the kitchen - but the fire was out and the room was cold. George went to look at the other rooms.

[695] There was quite a nice fire still in her father's study. She and Tim went in there. She did not put on the light, because the firelight was fairly bright. She had with her the little bottle of oil from the bathroom cupboard. She put it down by the fire to warm.

[696

] Then she rubbed the dog's hairy chest with the oil, hoping it would do him good. 'Don't cough now if you can help it, Tim,' she whispered. 'If you do, someone f may hear you. Lie down here by the fire, darling, and If get nice and warm. Your cold will soon be better.'

[697] Timothy lay down on the rug. He was glad to be out TI of his kennel and with his beloved mistress. He put his head on her knee. She stroked him and whispered to him.

[698] The firelight glinted on the curious instruments and glass tubes that stood around on shelves in her father's study. A log shifted a little in the fire and settled lower, sending up a cloud of sparks. It was warm and peaceful there.

[699] The little girl almost fell asleep. The big dog closed his eyes too, and rested peacefully, happy and warm.

[700] George settled down with her head on his neck. She awoke to hear the study clock striking six! The room was cold now, and she shivered. Goodness! Six o'clock! Joanna the cook would soon be awake. She must not find Timmy and George in the study!

[701] 'Tim darling! Wake up! We must put you back into your kennel,' whispered George. 'I’m sure your cold is better, because you haven't coughed once since you've been indoors. Get up - and don't make a noise. Sh!'

[702] Tim stood up and shook himself. He licked George's hand. He understood perfectly that he must be quite quiet. The two of them slipped out of the study, went into the hall and out of the front door.

[703] In a minute or two Timothy was on the chain, and in his kennel, cuddled down among the straw. George wished she could cuddle there with him. She gave him a pat and slipped back indoors again.

[704] She went up to bed, sleepy and cold. She forgot that she was partly dressed and got into bed just as she was. She was asleep in a moment!

[705] In the morning Anne was most amazed to find that George had on vest, knickers, skirt and jersey, when she got out of bed to dress.

[706] 'Look!' she said. 'You're half-dressed! But I saw you undressing last night.'

[707

] 'Be quiet,' said George. 'I went down and let Tim in last night. We sat in front of the study fire and I rubbed him with oil. Now don't you dare to say a word to anyone! Promise!'

[708] Anne promised - and she faithfully kept her word. Well, well - to think that George dared to roam about like that all night - what an extraordinary girl she was!

[709] Chapter Eleven

STOLEN PAPERS

[710] 'GEORGE, don't behave fiercely today, will you?' said Julian, after breakfast. 'It won't do you or Timothy and good at all.'

[711] 'Do you suppose I'm going to behave well when I know perfectly well that Mr. Roland will never let me have Tim indoors all these holidays?' said George.

[712] 'Well - they said a week,' said Dick. 'Can't you try for a week?'