"It does not seem right to deceive Aunt Caroline."
"Oh, what difference does that make? I am sure you used to deceive her enough when you came to this room all the time and had the Brady girls here, and everything else. You have changed very much, I think."
"I know I have changed. You see, I am a whole year older, and in a year you learn lots of things, and I am sure it is not right to deceive any one."
"I do call it a shame," exclaimed Valentine, walking about the room. "Here have I come all this distance expecting to find a sister who would help me, and now you go and turn your back on me. There is no use expecting anything of a girl. There never was one that was worth anything but Marjorie. I was going to tell you the whole story, and you know you like to hear things."
"Oh, I know I do!" cried poor Elizabeth. "I am just crazy to hear. What shall I do about it? I wish I had some one to advise me."
"Come, Elizabeth—there's a good girl! Don't tell, and I will begin right away to explain. I know you won't, so I will tell you, anyhow! You see, the other day at school—"
"Wait, wait, Val!" interrupted Elizabeth. "I must not hear, for if you once tell me I shall have to keep to it, for it would be a bargain; but if you don't I can decide later. I am going down stairs to think it over."
Valentine, left alone, scarcely knew what to think.
"I am in for it now," he said to himself. "Who ever would have thought of that meek little Elizabeth going back on me? I'm in an awful scrape, and I have a good mind to run away now, only I might meet Aunt Caroline on the doorstep, just as the Brady girls did. No, I have got to stick it out, now that I am here, and perhaps after all Elizabeth will come around. She is awfully curious to know what it is all about, that is one thing, and it may bring her to her senses. It is awfully poky up in this room all alone, and I do wish she would come back."
It was an hour and more before she did. Then the door was quietly opened, and Elizabeth stood before him.