‘How funny!’ said Biddy, quite interested.  And Celestina began to like her better—­she had been rather disappointed in Biddy at the bazaar.  She was not pretty, and Celestina, though she scarcely knew it, was very much taken by beauty, and she had been rather, almost a little rude—­at least Celestina knew that she would have been told she was rude had she behaved as Bridget had done.  But now she seemed so bright and natural—­’She is quite a little girl,’ thought Celestina; ’and perhaps if she’s the youngest she’s treated rather like a baby.’  ’How very funny!’ Biddy repeated.  ’I must run back and tell Alie and Rough.  And have you a doll-house, little girl, and will you show it me?  I’ve bought a chair too and a table.  Perhaps if I saw your doll-house and teeny-weeny dolls I’d get to like to play with them too.  We have a——­ Oh, Alie,’ as Alie, surprised at the length and apparent friendliness of the conversation proceeding between the two children, hastened up.  ’Oh, Alie, isn’t it funny?  She’s his little girl.  The note’s for her house.’

Rosalys turned her soft blue eyes full on Celestina.

‘How like an angel she is!’ thought Celestina.

‘Who’s?’ said Alie.  ’Do you mean Mr. Fairchild’s?  Why don’t you explain properly, Biddy?’

‘Yes, that’s it,’ said the stranger child.  ’I’m Celestina Fairchild.  I’ll show you the shop.’

‘Thank you,’ said the elder girl.  But Biddy would scarcely let her say the two words.  Her eyes were very open, looking rounder than ever.

‘What a funny name!’ she exclaimed.  Biddy’s collection of adjectives did not seem to be a very large one.  ‘Do say it again; oh, please do.’

‘Biddy, I think you are rather rude,’ said Alie severely.  ’You wouldn’t like any one to say your name was funny.’

‘I didn’t mean——­’ began Bridget as usual, but Celestina quietly interrupted.

‘I don’t mind; she’s only a little girl.  Don’t be vexed with her,’ she said to Alie with a sort of childish dignity that seemed to suit her.  ’I think my name is funny; mother called it me ’cos—­, but p’raps we’d better go on.  I’ve been out a good while and mother might be wondering what I was doing, and then if the letter for father matters much——­’

‘Yes,’ said Alie; ‘you’re quite right; we’d better be quick.’

So the little party set off again up the street.  Biddy and Celestina—­for now that Biddy’s interest was awakened in the stranger child she had no idea of giving her up to the others—­in front; Rosalys and her brother following; Jane Dodson, discreet and resigned, bringing up the rear.

They had not far to walk, but Bridget’s tongue made the most of its opportunities.

‘Have you got a doll-house, then?’ she inquired of Celestina; and as the little girl shook her head rather dolefully in reply, ’What do you get furniture’ (Biddy called it ‘fenniture’) ’for, then?  Is it for ornaments?’