"Say, that certainly did make her lie awake and wonder, because, of
course, she couldn't remember anything of the sort; nor could Andrew.
I used to listen to them talking it over again and again, and I am
sure got heaps of enjoyment out of it; but I told them it was
perfectly proper for them to use the money, and they did. I ate
part of it up myself, Hugh.

"Now, I'm getting down to hard facts, boy. I want to let you into
the great secret, and your chum ditto. Could you come over to our
house, say about ten this morning, and fetch that sharp-eyed Thad
along with you? There'll be something about to happen then. We've
already fixed it to go on a little picnic excursion and take our
simple lunch along with us, just to celebrate Matilda's birthday,
you see. And I'll ask you to go along, which you must agree to do,
if you want to have the finest surprise of your life. How about
it, Hugh?"

"There's nothing that I can see to prevent us, Mr. Corbley," the
boy assured him, eagerly, "and to tell the truth wild horses couldn't
hold me back, after what I've already learned. I must see the end
of your queer game, sir. But I'm glad that it isn't likely to interfere
with our working in the baseball match, which starts at three this
afternoon on the home grounds."

"Oh! I assure you we'll be all through long before then, and luncheon
eaten in the bargain; though it isn't going to be the simple bill
of fare that Matilda'll be putting in the basket we're going to
carry with us. Well, Hugh, I'm going to keep you in just a little
fever of suspense until then. When you and Thad show up, try to