"And my name is Lulu, but my dear mamma died soon after I was born, and then papa could not bear to hear that name spoken, because it had been hers. So they began with Ladybird when I was little, and it has been my name ever since, so I will call you Precious if you will call me Ladybird."
"Very well. And now, Ladybird, you will tell me how you came to fall in the water."
She saw the hazel eyes flash with laughter, and Ladybird cried:
"Oh, Precious, will you keep it secret? Will you never, never tell?"
"Never!" answered Precious promptly, and then her guest said gayly:
"I was in a little row-boat on the river, and I fell into the water. They all thought it was an accident, but—you're never to tell any one, you know—I did it purposely. I fell in for them to jump in and rescue me."
"But why?" queried Precious, with astonished blue eyes.
"I will tell you," answered the little madcap, with a silvery peal of laughter. "I have several lovers, Precious, and I wanted to test their love. I thought the one that loved me best would jump in after me."
"And did he, Ladybird?"
"They all jumped, Precious!"