Chapter Nine A HUNT FOR THE SECRET WAY
　　THERE were no lessons the next day. George looked rather pale, and was very quiet. Tim wasalready out in the yard-kennel, and the children could hear him whining¹ unhappily. They were allupset to hear him.
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　　'Oh, George, I'm awfully² sorry about it all,' said Dick. 'I wish you wouldn't get so fierce about things.
　　You only get yourself into trouble - and poor old Tim.'
　　George was full of mixed feelings. She disliked Mr. Roland so much now that she could hardly bearto look at him - and yet she did not dare to be openly rude and rebellious³ because she was afraid thatif she was, the tutor would give her a bad report, and perhaps she would not be allowed even to seeTimothy. It was very hard for a defiant⁴ nature like hers to force herself to behave properly.
　　Mr. Roland took no notice of her at all. The other children tried to bring George into their talks andplans, but she remained quiet and uninterested.
　　'George! We're going over to Kirrin Farmhouse⁵ today,' said Dick. 'Coming? We're going to try andfind the entrance to the Secret Way. It must start somewhere there.'
　　The children had told George what Mr. Roland had said about the piece of marked linen⁶. They hadall been thrilled about this, though the excitements of Christmas Day had made them forget about itfor a while.
　　'Yes - of course I'll come,' said George, looking more cheerful. 'Timothy can come too. He wants awalk.'
　　But when the little girl found that Mr. Roland was also going, she changed her mind at once. Not foranything would she go with the tutor! No - she would go for a walk alone with Timothy.
　　'But, George - think of the excitement we'll have trying to find the Secret Way,' said Julian, takinghold of her arm. George wrenched⁷ it away.
　　I’m not going if Mr. Roland is,' she said,

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