"Oh, no, no," interrupted Miss Holmes quickly.
"And—I should have liked to know whether it was quite right to dance so much with Victor, but you see it was all done, and—and——"
"On the whole, you were a very discreet little girl. You did not know, of course. Olive should have been more attentive to her guests. That wasn't a very harmful secret, but I think your uncle would have been quite vexed with Olive."
"I was afraid he would," she returned gravely.
"It is better to keep a secret than to stir up strife," Miss Holmes remarked.
"But now there's another secret," and a look of distress clouded the fair face. "It's been such a lovely day. I didn't ever suppose he would come without the girls, but he has, and they do not know. Olive will be angry, I am afraid."
Miss Holmes smiled inwardly, so as not to pain Laverne. Even these little girls began to have troubles and jealousies about the boys. She had been in it herself during childhood, she had seen a great deal of it later on. And childhood should be such a sweet and simple thing—a season of pure enjoyment.
"I think you had better say nothing about to-day. I'll explain the matter sometime to Mrs. Personette."
"Oh, that will be splendid! It was just a glorious time, wasn't it? And I should be sorry to have it spoiled."
Her face was joyous again with relief.