Iris capitulated. "In view of what you imply, I'll be as friendly as I can, but I confess I don't feel really sisterly toward you!"
"That's better! That line o' talk is most certainly better. Now, maybe we can hit it off. What do you want to know?"
"Why I was carried off in this manner! Who did it? Where am I being taken? Why?"
"The questions put by thee, dear heart,
Are as a string of pearls to me——"
The lilting voice was true, and the soft tones very sweet. Iris was attracted, in spite of herself, to this strange person.
"I'll answer separately—every one apart——" she twittered on. "First, you were—ahem—accumulated, for a good and wise purpose. The principal actor, who could be said to answer your question of who did it, is not in our midst at present. You are being taken to a house. Why? Ah, if I tell you, you will know, won't you?"
Flossie looked provoking, but good-natured, and Iris deemed it wiser not to rouse her ire again.
"You haven't really answered, but I suppose you won't. Well, when can I go back home?"
"If you're goody-girl, you can return in, say, a couple of hours. If not—ah, if not!"
Suddenly a light broke upon Iris.