“She will not,” said George, in a fierce voice. “No dog sleeps in my bedroom except Timmy.”

“Now don’t talk any more,” said Aunt Fanny, hurriedly. “We can settle everything tomorrow when you’re not so tired. I’ll look after Sally tonight for you, I promise. Lie down now and go to sleep. You look as if you’re 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 George’s mother.

“Good night, Aunt Fanny,” she said, sleepily. “That’s what I was to call you, wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 don’t want another girl in the house or another dog either, do you Timmy? Especially a girl like that!”

Aunt Fanny saw to Berta’s dog, and put her safely into Timmy’s 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 Berta’s 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 Berta’s late arrival. He had been very sure that he would wake up and welcome the girl as well as his wife, but he hadn’t 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.

“Oh dear — I don’t look forward to the morning! What will happen then, with George in this mood, and two dogs to sort out? Berta seems a nice little thing. Well — perhaps they will all get on better than I think!”

Yes — things wouldn’t be too easy in the morning. That was quite certain!