For the next few moments the mothers and Aunty Jane were too astounded for further speech. The girls, too, had nothing to say. All four of the Cottagers kept their eyes on the floor, for they knew precisely what their elders were thinking.
"Jean," began Mrs. Mapes, reproachfully.
"I—I wanted to tell," stammered Jean.
"I wouldn't let her," defended Mabel, looking up. "They all wanted to tell, but I wouldn't let them. Truly, they did, Mrs. Mapes."
"But five whole weeks!" murmured Mrs. Bennett. "I wonder that you were able to keep the secret so long. Why! I've been over here half a dozen times at least to ask for my scissors and other things that Mabel has carried off."
"So have I," said Mrs. Mapes.
"So have I," echoed Mrs. Tucker.
"And so have I," added Aunty Jane, "and I've never heard a sound from that remarkable child."
"You see," confessed Bettie, flushing guiltily, "we kept the door locked. Whenever we saw anybody coming we whisked Rosa Marie into the spare-room closet."