"We promise," they said together.
"Well, then, go get your things on, and we will go over and interview this lion friend of Phyllis's." Tom sighed his relief when the girls had gone.
"We'll miss you, Tom," Miss Carter said gently; "must you really go to-morrow?"
"Indeed, I must. I should have gone weeks ago," Tom replied, "but I couldn't leave those two youngsters. Tell you what it is, Auntie Mogs, it isn't every man that finds two such sisters. I wish you were all going back with me," he added wistfully.
"Dear Tom, the summer isn't very far away." Miss Carter patted his shoulder affectionately.
"Then you'll really come?"
"Of course we will. The girls are making plans already. The only thing that worries me is that Mrs. Page may want Janet with her this summer."
"Oh, I fixed all that," Tom assured her. "Grandmother knows you are coming to me, but I think she expects you all at Old Chester for Christmas."
"Oh, that would be delightful," Miss Carter said warmly. "A change would do the girls so much good. It's just the time when school gets a little monotonous and then, too, if Janet has a visit to look forward to it may keep her from growing homesick."
"Homesick! Why you haven't seen any symptoms of that, have you?" Tom demanded, sitting up straight and looking at his aunt.