“No! Honest?”

“Yes, honest!” they chorused mischievously.

“There’s something up!” David’s head wagged knowingly. “What is it?”

He looked from Leonora to Polly, and back again.

Then the delightful news could not be kept a minute longer, but bubbled forth from Leonora’s lips, until the three were soon in a torrent of merry talk.

David’s interest fully satisfied the girls, which is saying much for it; but the clock ticked steadily on, regardless of adoptions, new clothes, and ponies. Happily there was a chance look across the room, which hurried Polly and David away to school and sent Leonora up to the convalescent ward to make ready for her drive with Mrs. Jocelyn.


CHAPTER III

A WHIFF OF SLANDER