"Who, me? Oh, yes! Grace has entertained me lavishly, and——"
"I guess she hasn't been doing all the entertaining," and Tom pretended to be much interested in a troublesome hangnail.
"Oh, of course her friends have been awfully sweet to me," said Mary, purposely misunderstanding. "Well, if you boys won't stay, you won't! Where are you going, Tom?"
"Oh, off on a little exploring trip," and he glanced toward Ned to make sure he would not mention Dismal Mountain, since they had agreed it would be better to keep their plans secret. "Got to try out the House under all sorts of conditions."
"I suppose so," agreed Grace. "Well, can't you stop off again on your way back?"
"We'll try," was all Tom would promise, though Ned was enthusiastic when he said:
"I sure would like to!"
"Do try, then," urged Mary. "I'm having such a lovely time on this visit that I want every one else to have fun, too. And you have been working hard, haven't you, Tom?"
"A bit, yes."
"Well, now you'd better take a rest on this trip. Don't think about business and don't run into any danger. Will you?"