"There, go along, Tiza, and get your things on," said Mrs. Backhouse, taking her by the arm. "I wouldn't have let you go out to tea, you know, if Miss Elliot and Missy hadn't asked particular. Mind you don't get into no more mischief. And very like those eggs'll do for father's supper; so, I daresay, I'll not say anything to him this time--just for once. Now go up." Tiza didn't want to be told twice, and presently, just as Mr. and Mrs. Norton and Olly were coming back from their walk, they met Aunt Emma coming back from the farm holding Becky's hand, while Milly and Tiza walked in front. "Well, Tiza," said Mr. Norton, patting her curly head, I declare I think you beat Olly for mischief. Olly never spoilt my dinner yet, that I remember. What should I do to him do you think, if he did?" "Beat him," said Tiza, looking up at Mr. Norton with her quick birdlike eyes. "Oh dear, no!" said Mr. Norton, "that wouldn't do my dinner any good. I should eat him up instead." "I don't believe little boys taste good a bit," said Olly, who always believed firmly in his father's various threats. "If you ettened me, father, you'd be ill." "Oh no," said Mr. Norton, "not if I eat you with plenty of bread-sauce. That's the best way to cook little boys. Now, Milly, which of you three girls can get to that gate first?" Off ran the three little girls full tilt down the hill leading to Ravensnest, with Olly puffing and panting after them. Milly led the way at first, for she was light and quick, and a very fair runner for her age; but Tiza soon got up to her and passed her, and it was Tiza's little stout legs that arrived first at Ravensnest gate. "Oh, Becky!" said Milly, putting her arm round Becky's neck as they went into the house together, "I hope you may stay a good long time. What time do you go to bed?" "Oh, I don't know," said Becky. "We go when fayther goes." "When fayther goes!" exclaimed Milly. "Why, we go ever so long before father. Why do you stay up so late?" "Why, it isn't late," said Becky. "Fayther goes to bed, now it's summertime, about half-past eight; but in winter, of course, he goes earlier. And we all goes together, except baby. Mother puts him out of the way before supper." "Well, but how funny," said Milly, "I can't think why you should be so different from us." And Milly went on puzzling over Becky and her going to bed, till nurse drove it all out of her head by fetching them to tea. Such a merry tea they had, and after tea a romp in the big kitchen with father, which delighted the little farm children beyond measure. Some time in the evening, I believe, Aunt Emma managed to give Tiza a little talking to, but none of the other children knew anything about it, except perhaps Becky, who generally knew what was happening to Tiza. CHAPTER IX MILLY'S BIRTHDAY