Harriet turned a thoughtful gaze on the smiling face of her mother.
"And you knew about this all the time, but said never a word to me, Mother?"
"Yes, dear."
"Oh, you darling Mother," cried the girl impulsively, throwing both arms about Mrs. Burrell's neck, kissing her affectionately. From her mother Harriet turned her attention to Miss Elting whom she also embraced in a bear-like hug. "How can I ever thank you?"
"By going with us," answered Miss Elting.
"Thay, aren't you going to kith me? Didn't I firtht tell you about it?" demanded Tommy.
Harriet ran over to her little friend, kissing her lightly, at the same time giving Tommy's ear a pinch.
"Girls, you have been in the secret all the time, too, haven't you?"
"Do you think I could keep a thecret all that time?" answered Grace. "Didn't I nearly break my prethiouth neck to get down here to tell you the good newth the minute I heard it? Didn't I get run over by an automobile, too?"
"Grace fell down the hill. She did have a narrow escape from being run down by Crazy Jane," explained Miss Elting.