"Have you told Elsie Ryder or Marjorie Butler?"
"Certainly not. I haven't mentioned the matter to anybody, and I hope you won't either."
"But why shouldn't you whisper it just to Lindsay and me? We wouldn't let a soul know," pleaded Cicely reproachfully.
"I can't explain why. Do let us drop the subject."
Here was indeed a deadlock. They had been afraid lest Merle should betray her secret indiscreetly, but they had certainly never contemplated being kept out of it themselves. The more they pressed her, the more obstinately she refused, and neither scolding nor coaxing would induce her to disclose even the least hint. They gave it up at last, feeling very baffled and rather out of temper.
"We do know something about your old room, all the same," said Lindsay crossly, as a parting shot.
"Oh, Lindsay, you don't really!"
There was an anxious note in Merle's voice.
"More than you think."
"Then, whatever it is, you had better keep it to yourselves, and not let it go any farther."