They waited a few moments and then made the final dash to Colin’s room. His door was locked.

“Who’s there?” she heard Colin demand as she rattled the handle. “It’s the girl, isn’t it?”

“My name is Mary, and you jolly well know it!” she hissed.

“I don’t want you here!” said Colin, his voice rising. “I don’t want to see you. You’re cruel.”

Mary felt like stamping in frustration. “We’re past this, Colin. You’ll scream. I’ll scream. No good will come of it!”

Colin started to yell. There was the sound of running footsteps on the staircase at the end of the corridor. Mary hastily pulled Dickon into the nearest doorway and tried the handle, but it was locked.

She thought they were about to be caught by Mrs. Medlock, but it was Martha who appeared at the top of the staircase. Spotting Mary and Dickon, her mouth dropped open.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed.

“I know about Colin,” Mary said quickly. “We’re friends.”

Martha blinked in astonishment, and then her eyes flicked back to Dickon. “If they catch you here, they’ll have you whipped,” she said urgently.

“We want to help Colin, Martha. It’s worth the risk,” Mary said, and to her delight, Dickon nodded.

Martha frowned at her. “You risk being sent to school, miss. We risk more—far more. If Dickon gets discovered here, we’ll be turned out and I’ll lose all my wages. We’ll starve!”

There was the sound of more footsteps. “What’s going on?” called Mrs. Medlock’s voice. She appeared at the far end of the corridor just as Mary and Dickon ducked back into their doorway and pressed themselves against the heavy door.

Martha hesitated and then walked toward the housekeeper, positioning her body to block Dickon and Mary from sight. “Don’t worry yourself, Mrs. Medlock. It’s just the young master. I’ll deal with him.”

“He never normally causes bother at this hour,” said Mrs. Medlock, frowning.

“I’ll take care of him,” Martha said briskly. “You continue with your chores, if you want.”

Mrs. Medlock nodded gratefully. “Very well. Thank you, Martha. There is such a lot to do.” She hurried away.

The breath rushed out of Mary, and she saw Martha’s shoulders sag too.

“I need to see my cousin, Martha,” Mary pleaded, knowing there was no time to waste. Mrs. Medlock could come back any minute. “I think I know a way to help him—to make him feel better.”

Martha looked at her uncertainly.

“Please, Martha!” Mary begged.

Martha hesitated and then unlocked the door. Seeing Mary, Colin opened his mouth to scream.

“Do that and you’ll never see me again!” Mary said hotly. “It’s your decision.”

He saw her angry eyes and shut his mouth.