"I'm thinking about it but I'm not excited," answered Marjorie a little sadly.
"Well, for goodness' sake don't put on that resigned, pious, martyr sort of air. You are going to have your treat, and take it cheerfully. You know you are dying to go, and your heart is going pit-a-pat like anything."
"I wish you wouldn't be so cross with me, Ermie."
"Oh, of course, I'm always cross; no one ever has a good word for me. Now, Maggie, don't begin to argue the point. I wish to goodness you would stay in bed until it is your proper time to rise, and not wake me up before it is necessary. I might have had a quarter of an hour's more sleep if it had not been for you."
"I could not help myself this morning," answered Marjorie. "Miss Nelson came and woke me soon after six o'clock."
"Miss Nelson?" Ermengarde was suddenly aroused to interest. "Whatever for?"
"Oh, Ermie, you must hear about it—poor Basil."
Ermengarde half sat up in bed.
"I wish you'd speak right out, Maggie. Has Basil hurt himself? Is he ill? What is wrong?"
"Basil isn't ill in body, Ermie, only—oh, it's so dreadful. He found the miniature."