"Of course the name is a secret," said Patty. "If that got out, it would give the whole thing away."
"And what is the object of this famous society? Or is that too a secret?"
"Why, yes, that is, I mustn't tell you exactly."
Patty smiled up at Miss Lord with the innocent, seraphic gaze that always warned those who knew her best that is was wisest to let her alone.
"It's a sort of branch of the Sunshine Society," she added confidentially. "We're to—well—to smile on people, you know, and make them like us."
"I see!" said Miss Lord, with an air of friendly understanding. "Then S. A. S. stands for 'Sunshine and Smiles?'"
"Oh, please! You mustn't say it out loud," Patty lowered her voice and threw an anxious glance over her shoulder.
"I wouldn't tell anybody for worlds," Miss Lord promised solemnly.
"Thank you," said Patty. "It would be dreadful if it got out."
"It is a very sweet, womanly society," Miss Lord added approvingly. "But you ought not to keep it all to yourselves. Can't you let me be an honorary member of the S. A. S.?"