Antonia Forest fans

I find I view Lois and Marie quite differently after the Court of Honour even though they have both been the 'villains'. Marie tells an outright whopper of a lie which, if believed by Redmond, makes the twins behaviour seem far worse (ignoring instructions to come back) and will therefore cause them to be in worse trouble. Lois, on the other hand, doesn't tell an actual lie as such, she chooses not to mention that the twins were trying to be helpful and make up for lost time, but she must have expected them to say that themselves and was lucky that they didn't. So, in theory, Marie's behaviour is worse and yet the main feeling I have for her is pity. Is her behaviour more excusable because it was motivated by fear and cowardice? Whereas Lois had no real reason not to tell the truth, she wasn't going to pass her hike now anyway. Also, Lois is older and in a position of authority so her behaviour should be better. Or is it because, as I think Nicola says a lot later in the book, Marie is a wet drip who can't help it, whereas Lois can and should help it?