"But you will do ever so much before we come," said Alice, looking disappointed.
"No; I am going down to see about the dinner, and if you are not long will wait till you return."
"But will the man understand what is to be done?"
"Yes; I went about it yesterday, and I told him it was a secret, and so he would have to do it expeditiously."
"I see. Well, come along Minnie, the sooner we are off the sooner we shall be home."
In half an hour's time they were back, and met Agnes coming up from her confabulations with the cook.
"Just in time," she said, smiling.
"Should you have begun without us?" asked Minnie.
"Not till ten."
"That's all right. Now then, Agnes, what are we to do?"