The Wonderful News
HECLA had to wait next day till after early dinner, before hearing what the wonderful news was. Miss Storey felt sure that, if she were told sooner, she would not do a single lesson well that morning; so at breakfast, Aunt Anne promised that she should know directly dinner was over, if she were good meantime.
That "if" had wonderful power. Hecla, in alarm lest she should have to wait another day, did her very best, and did nicely. She actually kept from fidgeting, learnt her easy lessons, wrote neatly, made few ink-spots, and put almost everything away in its right place, without being reminded.
"So, you see, dear, you can do better when you choose," Aunt Millicent remarked. "What a pity you don't choose oftener!"
And it was a pity, was it not?
Then she went for her walk with Elisabeth, and Elisabeth seemed to know more than Hecla did, for she kept pursing up her lips in a most provoking fashion, and refusing to answer questions.
"You'll hear, all in good time," was the most she would say, when Hecla kept wondering and wondering what the "news" could possibly be.
"I believe you know all the time, and I don't see why I shouldn't too," she said in an injured tone, forgetting that but for her own fault she would have been told as soon as Elisabeth. "Do just say one thing! It isn't a doll, is it? A big, big doll that winks. I should love to have a doll that winks! It isn't that, I'm quite perfectly sure, because it's nobody's birthday now, and I do wish it was."
"If you're quite perfectly sure, Miss Hecla, there ain't no need for me to tell you."
"Elisabeth, you're just horrid!" cried Hecla, and she raced away, making Elisabeth race after her.