Peter
waited patiently till she was in the depths of an argument with Rudolf
who was trying vainly to make her understand that the dirt upon his
face was merely the effect of his dark complexion. Then Peter slipped
out of bed, darted out of the door, and returned in a moment or two
with the unhappy Mittens once more a prisoner beneath his arm. This
time he managed to conceal the cat from Betsy's sharp eyes.
At last all three children were in the big bed, Rudolf having refused
to consider sleeping in the cot, and Betsy, after a gruff good night,
departed, carrying the lamp with her. Now that the room was in
darkness except for the flickering light of the dying fire, Ann's
fears began to come back to her. She sat up in bed and peered round
her into the dark corners.
"I--I wish Betsy had left the light," she said. "But it would have
been no use asking her."
"Not a scrap," said Rudolf. "Not that _I_ mind the dark," he added
hastily, "_I_ rather like it, only don't let's lie still
and--and--listen for things. Let's play something."
"Shall we try who can keep their eyes shut longest," suggested Ann.
"Oh, that's a stupid game! Beside Peter would beat anyway, for he's
half asleep now. Shake him up, Ann."
When shaken up Peter refused to admit that, he was even sleepy. He was
very cross, and immediately began to accuse Rudolf of having taken his
cat.
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