"I promise to watch them, and I am likely to be more closely employed than during a regular school session," Miss Fenler said in reply.
The first day passed without any especial happening, but the next day the two set out for a walk, soon after breakfast, and did not return until just before six.
"You were not here at one o'clock for lunch," Miss Fenler said. "Where were you?"
"I lunched with a friend," said Patricia, and Arabella drawled, "So did I."
"I did not know that you had friends here in town," Miss Fenler said, in surprise. They were, of course friends, and they had lunched together. What they had said had been true, but surely not honest.
Arabella stared stupidly at Miss Fenler, and Patricia imitated her stolid friend, too. It was easier to look dull than to answer more questions.
On the third day Mrs. Marvin was absolutely amazed to glance toward her window just in time to see Patricia entering the house with a cat in her arms.
Questioned as to where she obtained the cat she said that a boy gave it to her, that she didn't know his name, or where he lived.
"Where do you expect to keep it?" asked Miss Fenler, who had been sent to meet her.
"I thought I could keep her in the little shed that's next to the kitchen, and then Judy could feed her," was the answer, given as confidently as if the whole matter were settled.