"Who wouldn't, at being insulted like that! I don't think you can have much sense of honour yourself, to think anybody decent would read another person's letter!"
"Now, don't get huffy, little goldilocks!" and Alicia laughed at her. "I had to be sure, you see, because it's a most important matter, and I wouldn't have anybody know for the world,—until I get ready to tell, myself."
"And when will you be ready to tell?" Dolly tried to speak lightly, but the words nearly choked her.
"I dunno. Maybe you'll know about it to-morrow."
"Oh, Alicia—" Dolly meant to speak a word of warning or of pleading, indeed she didn't quite know what she WAS going to say, but just then, Dotty and Bernice came down stairs, and proposed they all go for a motor ride, and a last visit to the pretty tearoom.
Dolly agreed, but Alicia didn't seem quite willing.
"I'm expecting a telephone message," she said, at last. "You girls go on, and leave me at home. I shan't mind."
"Oh, no," said Dotty, "we four can't be together after to-day. We mustn't be separated this last day of all. Come on, 'Licia."
"But it's an important message," and Alicia looked anxious.
"Can I be of help?" said Mrs. Berry, coming toward them.