Visibility of Methods in Models

   
 Question?

If i load model (Xpto_model) that extends MY_Model, that extends CI_Model and call a protected method from MY_Model.
Should be work?
$this->load->model("Xpto_model");
$this->Xpto_model->protectedMethodFromMyModel();

Its actual working, but i think it should not work. Because if i transfer the method to Xpto_model a correct errors appears.