"H'm,—yes! Keep still, Mops. You'll give it away."
"Oh, a secret about a present," cried Kitty; "something for the tree-house, I know!"
"Maybe 'tis, and maybe 'tain't," answered King, with a mysterious wink at Marjorie.
"Me buyed present for Kitty," said Rosamond, smiling sweetly; "gold an' blue,—oh, a bootiful present."
"Hush, hush, Rosy Posy, you mustn't tell," said her brother. "Presents are always surprises. Hey, girls, here's Father!"
Mr. Maynard's appearance was usually a signal for a grand rush, followed by a series of bear hugs and a general scramble, but to-night, owing to festive attire, the Maynard quartette were a little more demure.
"Look out for my hair-ribbons, King!" cried Midget, for without such warning, hair-ribbons usually felt first the effects of the good-natured scrimmage.
And then Mrs. Maynard appeared, her pretty rose-colored gown of soft silk trailing behind her on the floor.
"What a dandy mother!" exclaimed King; "all dressed up, and a flower in her hair!"
This line sounded singable to Marjorie, so she tuned up: