"Mabel Bennett!" demanded Mrs. Bennett, suspecting something of the truth, "how long have you had that child here?"
"Not—Oh, not so very long," evaded Mabel.
"Mabel," demanded her mother, "tell me, instantly, exactly how long?"
"About—yes, just about five weeks."
"Five weeks!" gasped Mrs. Bennett.
"Five weeks!" shrieked Mrs. Tucker.
"Five weeks!" groaned Mrs. Mapes.
"Fi—ve weeks!" cried Aunty Jane.
"It'll be five to-morrow," said Bettie.
"No, the day after," corrected Marjory.