"I'm going to be your sister," she said; "I've promised Lionel. Are you going to be mine?"
"Yes,—I've promised Theodore—"
"Theodore!" cried Johnnie, with a world of admiration in her voice. "Oh, you mean Dorry. We never call him that, you know."
"Yes, I know, but I prefer Theodore. Dorry seems a childish sort of name for a grown man. Do you mean to say that you are coming out to the Valley to live?"
"Yes, by-and-by, and you will come to Burnet; we shall just change places. Isn't it nice and queer?"
"It is a sort of double-barrelled International Alliance," declared Lionel. "Now let us go down and astonish the others."
The others were astonished indeed. They were prepared for Johnnie's confession, but had so little thought of Dorry's that for some time he and Imogen stood by unheeded, waiting their turn at explanation.
"Why, Dorry," cried Elsie at last, "why are you standing on one side like that with Miss Young? You don't look as surprised as you ought. Did you hear the news before we did? Imogen dear,—it isn't such good news for you as for us."
"Oh, yes, indeed it is. I am quite as happy in it as you can be."
"Ladies and gentlemen," cried Lionel, who was in topping spirits and could not be restrained, "this shrinking pair also have a tale to tell. It is a case of 'change partners all round and down the middle.' Let me introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Theo—"