It seemed hours, but it was really only twenty minutes later, when the front door opened, and the quaint little figure descended the steps amid voluble good-byes.
"So glad to have seen you, my dear Miss Trinkett! I never saw you looking so well or so young. You are a marvel. And you won't repeat that little piece of news I told you, will you? You will probably hear it all in good time. Good-by!"
It was a very quiet and depressed Aunt Betsey who got into the carriage and drove away with Jack, very different from the gay little lady who had entered the Parkers' gates.
"Well, was it a success? Did she know you? Tell us about it," said Jack, eagerly.
"Jack, don't ask me a word."
"Why? I say, what's up? What's the matter? Did she find you out?"
"No, of course not. She never guessed it. But—but—oh, Jack, she told me something."
"But what was it?"
"I—I don't believe I can tell you!"