Just here, she gave the round mass of dough a toss up to the ceiling and caught it deftly on her right fist as it came down, finishing her octave with high C, while again the bread spun aloft and dropped in safety on her left fist--"to the last!"
Then she proceeded with her kneading and singing:--
"'I told thee when love was hopeless;
But now he is wild and sings--
That the stars above [up went the bread again]--
Shine ever on Love--'"
A peal of merry laughter close behind her made her jump, and the bread came down kerchunk into the kneading trough.
"Gracious, Hazel! how you frightened me! I thought you were off with Budd and Cherry."
"So I was; but they wanted me to come in and tell you there is to be a secret meeting of the N.B.B.O.O. Society in the usual place. They said you would know where it is."
"Of course I do; do you?"
"No, they would n't tell. They said it is against the rules to allow any one in who hasn't been initiated. They said they 'd initiate me, if I wanted to join."
"Well, do you want to?"
"Of course I do, if you belong," said Hazel, eagerly.