"Hollis," whispered Katie immediately afterwards, "will I take my
mouses?"

"'Sh, Topknot!"

"What's going on there between you and Horace?" laughed Grace.

"A _secrid_," said Fly, nipping her little lips together. "You won't get
me to tell."

"Horace," exclaimed Mrs. Clifford, "you haven't--"

"Why, mother, I thought it was all settled, and wouldn't do any harm;
and it pleases her so!"

"Well, my son, you've made a hard day's work for me," said Mrs.
Clifford, smiling behind her coffee-cup, as eager little Katie swayed
back and forth in her high chair.

"You won't get me to tell, Gracie Clifford. She don't want nobody but
Hollis and me; she thinks we're very 'cute."

"Who? O, Aunt Louise, probably."

"No, aunt Louise never! It's the auntie that lives to New York."

"Sh, Topknot!"

"Well, I didn't tell, Hollis Clifford!"