At first they had teased her shamelessly, but since the Christmas holidays, recognizing that she was gaining a more established position in the school, they had begun to treat her more mercifully.

Some of them were really rather jolly children, and though twelve seems young to fourteen, the poor Cuckoo was still a lonely enough bird to welcome any crumbs of friendship thrown in her way.
At the present moment Winnie Fowler and Hattie Goodwin were clinging to her arms, one on either side.

Their motives, I fear, were a trifle mixed.

They found Rona amusing and liked her company, but also they were tired and found if they dragged a little she would pull them along without remonstrance.
"My shoes are ever so wet," boasted Winnie.

"I plumped down deep in the lane, and the water went right through the laces at the top.