“Are you anxious to greet Mr. Hogg?” pouted Sadie.
“No,” was the vehement response.
“Then we must be out when he comes––and I have an important engagement at eleven.”
Helen shot two little pink feet out of the covers and planked them down on the velvety rug.
“Whom have you an engagement with, Sadie Burton?” she asked, with breathless eagerness.
“I have an engagement to elope!”
This time Sadie turned her head to hide her blushes.
Helen seemed actually paralyzed. There was an intense pause before Sadie wheeled round, flung her head defiantly and said with more fire than she had ever in her life displayed:
“With Mr. Whitney Barnes––and you are going to assist me––you and Mr. Gladwin.”