Mary glanced at him gratefully, and her face brightened still more. Michael seemed quite like himself to her again.
“I rather agree with you,” said his mother. “I will give her a hint. Have you been wanting to see me for anything special to-day, Mary dear?”
“Oh no, it was only that I was so hoping Michael would come,” she replied; and a moment or two later, when her aunt happened to have gone to the other end of the room to write a letter, the little girl turned to her cousin.
“Mike,” she said, speaking almost in a whisper, “have you settled what you are going to do to-morrow, exactly?”
“Well, no, not quite. It depends on mother. I have not much to do, myself. I did all my shopping last week, you see. I thought it would be nice to have the last two days pretty clear. Mother,” he went on, raising his voice a little, “what would you like me to do to-morrow—I have kept it quite free for you—and Mary,” he added quickly.
“Darling,” said his mother. “Well, I was thinking we might go out together in the afternoon, you and I. I want you to say good-bye to your godmother—and if you and Mary can think of anything you would like to do in the morning, that would suit very well,” and then she went on writing.
“What would you like to do, then, Moll?” said Michael. “I’m sure you’ve got something in your head.”
Mary clasped her hands in eagerness.
“Anything you like, Mike,” she said. “The only thing I want you to promise me is that you will come up to my room to-morrow morning at twelve o’clock to see something. I won’t tell you what it is, but when you see, you will understand.”
“At twelve o’clock,” said Michael, “twelve exactly?”