"You mean Aunt Caroline and Aunt Rebecca? Yes, they are. But come in, Val. Don't stand out there. What is the matter? Have you come to stay?"
"I can't tell you now," he said, coming into the hall. "I am afraid they will come home and find me. I want you to hide me."
"Val! How can I, and why do you want to hide?"
"I tell you, never mind now. I will tell you some other time. You must hide me."
"But where?"
"In the locked-up room."
Elizabeth was speechless. She could only look at him.
"Come," exclaimed Valentine, impatiently, "don't stand there staring. Your eyes look as if they were going to pop out of your head. Let us hurry!"
"But, Val, I can't hide you there. I have been forbidden to go near that room, and I don't believe I can get the key now. Aunt Caroline keeps it in her desk, and her desk is nearly always locked."
"You must hide me there," said Valentine, decidedly, "and we can't stand here, or I shall be caught."