"Yes, about the way Debbie makes potato salad," cried Laura disgustedly.
"You know well enough why we came."
"Why you came?" Billie repeated, looking still more surprised. "Why, naturally, I thought you came to see me."
"Billie Bradley, if you don't tell us what we want to know this instant,"
cried Laura, jumping to her feet and making a threatening movement toward
Billie's mischievous head, "I'll—I'll—oh, I don't know what I'll do.
Are you going to be good? Are you?"
"Yes, yes," cried Billie, pretending immense fright, while her eyes danced with mischief. "Tell me what it is you want to know and I'll do my best, Your Highness," this last in such a very humble tone that Laura chuckled.
"All right, go ahead then," she said while Violet leaned forward eagerly.
"What did your aunt leave you?"
"Straight from the shoulder," Billie murmured. Then as Laura made another threatening gesture toward her, added hurriedly: "All right. Don't shoot and I'll tell you everything. Only it will take time."
Billie paused, to allow the proper amount of emphasis, then said, in a deep whisper:
"She left me a—haunted house!"