"I'll never, never tell," cried Grace teasingly; "so you'll never, never know."
She turned in at her own gate and to this day the mystery is still unsolved.
CHAPTER XI
MRS. GRAY'S ADOPTED DAUGHTERS
After Mrs. Gray's luncheon party in honor of Grace and her three friends a tiny little idea had implanted itself in her mind. As the weeks rolled on, and Christmas holidays approached, it grew and spread into a real plan which occupied her thoughts a considerable part of every day.
As a secretary Anne had turned out admirably. The only drawback was that Mrs. Gray could not see enough of her. The lonesome old lady almost lived on Anne's semi-weekly visits, but the girl was too busy to give any more of her time to reading aloud or driving with her benefactor.
Finally Mrs. Gray took a bold step. She invited the four girls to meet at another Sunday luncheon, and announced her intentions from the head of the table.
"My dear children," she said, "you are aware that I am a very old woman."
"We are not aware of anything of the sort, Mrs. Gray," interrupted Grace.