"Why, what is all this mystery?" cried Christian. "Preparations for what?"
"Nothing, dear—nothing."
"There's no such thing as nothing," replied Christian, laughing.
Miss Thompson got quite red. "Young girls don't always know what they are talking about," she said in a severe tone. "Nurse has got to work, and I have got to work, and you have got to be good. By the way, where do you keep your story-books?"
"Upstairs, downstairs, and in my lady's chamber," answered Christian.
"Well, wherever you keep them, I want them collected."
"What for?"
"I wish to make a list of them."
"I can't fly over the house for them to-night. I'll get them to-morrow morning if I must get them."
"Well, come into the schoolroom now. There are several things we must arrange."