The two cousins studied each other. Then in her shy way Mary held out her hand.
"Oh, I love you already!" said Helen impulsively, and hugged her instead. That evening they exchanged confidences and when Miss Cordelia heard about this, she questioned Mary and enjoyed herself immensely.
"And then what did she ask you?" finally inquired Miss Cordelia, making an effort to keep her face straight.
"She asked me if I had a beau, and I told her 'No.'"
"And then what did she say?"
"She asked me if there was anything the matter with the boys around here, and I told her I didn't know."
"And then?"
"And then she said, 'I'll bet you I'll soon find out.' But just then Aunt
Patty came in and we had to stop."
Later Miss Patty came downstairs looking thoughtful and spoke to her sister in troubled secret.
"I've just been in Helen's room," she said, "and what do you think she has on her dresser?"