"Is it possible that you——"
"Well, well, well! What is going on here? Something wrong with your neck, pet? Come, let me see what ails it."
"No, no, Uncle! It is a s'prise, and you may have three guesses. Mother was very hot just before you came in, and I am sure she knows."
"But if holding your neck with both hands has anything to do with it, I fear that it is not a very pleasant surprise."
"I am holding my neck to hide something on my chain."
"Ah, I see. Well, I shall guess one of those tiny pencils that fit into a small note book."
"Cold as ice! Freezing! Why, that wouldn't be worth making a s'prise about."
"Oh, it is something of value, eh?—a piece of Chinese money. The hole in such a coin would make it an easy matter to slip it on your chain."
"Uncle! as if I would put a piece of Chinese money on a chain with the beautiful miraculous medal you gave me when I was baptized! Only one more guess. It is the First Friday, you know."
"You don't mean to say that you have come out on top! Hurray!" cried the Doctor as Mary took down her hands and showed a little silver medal next to the gold one. "That is a surprise worth while!" and tossing her up to his shoulder, he marched into the dining-room, whistling, Hail the Conquering Hero Comes!