"Oh, but this was a white rose, and a white rose means something, though
I don't know what. At all events, she'll have the letter to-morrow, and
I'll tell you fellows when I give it her, only of course you mustn't
breathe a word to any one else."

"All right: we won't," answered Diggory, "except to old Mugford, because
he's one of the Alliance, and we've sworn not to have any secrets from
each other, and he won't split."

That evening the Triple Alliance lay awake until a late hour discussing
the situation. Mugford's opening comment was certainly worth
recording,--

"I hope she'll accept him."

"Why?"

"Why, because if she does, I should think old Welsby'll give us a
half-holiday."

It was evident at breakfast, to those who were in the know, that Acton
was prepared for the venture. He was wearing a clean collar and new
necktie, and ate only four pieces of bread and butter, besides his
bacon.

"He's shown me the letter," whispered Diggory to Jack Vance; "only I
promised I wouldn't say what was in it, but it ends up with a piece of
poetry as long as this table!"