"No one save your Grace," he replied. "You should not talk so loudly on the stairs, if you wish to keep your plans a secret."
"Oh, what have you heard?" asked Beryl, thinking that there was no keeping anything from this dreadful boy.
"Only you and Coral saying—'Do you think we can have it on Friday, after all? Would it be better to put it off? Perhaps it may rain next week.' From which I gathered that there was some grand excitement planned for Friday, and when I asked Miss Burton she did not deny that it was so; but only referred me to you for further information. So now tell me, what is it?"
"What ears you must have to hear that!" observed Beryl, pouting a little in her vexation.
"Yes, my sense of hearing is by no means defective, I am happy to say," said Percy complacently; "and now I am waiting to hear what is the ticket for Friday."
"I don't think I shall tell you," returned Beryl.
"Now that is unkind," said Percy, "after all the pain I have had, and the dreary time I have passed in this room to-day, to think that you won't tell me a little news that might cheer me."
"I don't fancy you will care for this news," said Beryl relenting; "but I'll tell you, if you will promise not to laugh at it."
"Not I; I'll keep as sober as a judge," replied Percy, pulling a ridiculously long face; "now then, what is it?"
Whereupon Beryl began to explain her plans for a birthday treat. Percy kept his word, and listened with the utmost gravity. Not a smile crossed his face, though he made some amusing comments, which set Beryl laughing. It was clear that he was not inclined to ridicule the affair, as Beryl had feared.