She and Custard were alone in the sitting-room a little later, when Mrs. Cory came in. Grandmother glanced at the sober face. "Is anything wrong, dear?" she asked.
"I'm positive I can't make it," Patricia said forlornly.
"Make what?"
And Patricia explained.
"Of course you can, dear," grandmother said cheerily; "and indeed you must; I've got a very special reason for wanting you to—I'm not going to tell you what it is, however, until Saturday morning at breakfast."
"Over four days to wait! Grandmother, mayn't I have just the first letter?"
Grandmother shook her head.
The next morning at breakfast she announced that she felt the need of more regular exercise, and she thought she should take a short walk every morning.
"Ah!" Dr. Kirby said, "about what time?"
"I should think—about half past eight," Mrs. Cory answered.