"The secret despatch," cried Myra.
"It's addressed to the Scoutmistress, and it says outside: 'Private, not to be opened till Christmas Day.'"
Myra opened it and read: "Your blessed scouts are everywhere. Let me just have five minutes with her in the nursery, there's a dear. I'd do as much for you."
But she didn't read it aloud, and I didn't see it till some time afterwards. She simply put it away, and smiled, and announced that the scouts would now adjourn to the billiard-room for pemmican and other refreshments; which they did. The engagement was announced that evening.
CHAPTER VI
IN AND OUT
"Well," said Thomas, "how are we going to celebrate the joyful event?"
We were sitting on the lawn, watching Blair and Miss Fortescue play croquet. Archie and Dahlia were not with us; they had (I suppose) private matters to discuss. Our match did not begin for another hour, happily for the lovers; happily also for the croquet-players, who had about fifty-six more hoops, posts, flags and what not to negotiate.
"It's awfully difficult to realise it," said Myra. "My own brother! Just fancy—I can hardly believe it."
"I don't think there can be any doubt," I said. "Something's happened to him, anyhow—he's promised to put me in first to-day."
"Let's have a dance to-morrow night," continued Thomas, relentlessly pursuing his original idea. "And we'll all dance with Miss Blair."