“I’ll be thirteen next May. That’s a long time off. I do wish my birthday had waited until Aunt Sophy came on the scene.”
“And my birthday comes in the winter,” said Patty—“near Christmas; but I dare say Aunt Sophy will give us a good time then, too.”
“I do like her awfully,” said Pauline. “Now, girls, I want to ask you a question. I know you won’t tell, for you are not the sort to tell.”
“Of course we won’t tell, Paulie.”
“And you love me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” echoed both little girls.
“This is my question. If I do something that is not just exactly absolutely right, will you still love me?”
“Why, of course. We’re not so wonderfully good ourselves,” said Briar.
“I know what you are thinking of,” said Patty. “You are thinking of Punishment Day. But we have forgotten all about that.”
“I was thinking of Punishment Day. And now I want to say something. I want to make the most tremendous confidence. I want to tell you the most tremendous secret.”