"I'll hear it with the others," said Molly.
As she spoke she went and sat down in a vacant chair near Nell.
"Perhaps it is not such news to Nell and me as you think," she said. "Anyhow, we are prepared to hear it."
"It's 'perhaps' come true," said Nell in a faint voice, looking at Molly with the ghost of a smile.
"Dear, dear," exclaimed Kitty, "whatever it is, let's out with it. I don't suppose we are a set of cowards, any of us. I'm going to guess what it is beforehand; it's that father's mare has broken her knees; that's about the worst thing that could happen. Father sent for the mare to London a week ago; don't you remember, Guy, and when he was riding her in the park she fell and broke her knees; that's it, you bet."
"Do shut up," exclaimed Guy.
"You bet I'm right," replied Kitty, flushed and defiant.
Under no other possible circumstances would Kitty have dared to say "you bet" in the presence of Jane Macalister.
"Well, my dears," said poor Jane, looking round at all the eager faces, "I'd better read your mother's letter aloud. I've read it three times to myself, and have got over the choky business; so now I can read it aloud without breaking down. This is what your mother says, children. If I stand up, my loves, you'll all hear it better."