"I concluded he'd gone suddenly and violently insane, and as the aroma of
nearly burned biscuits filled the air I promptly forgot all about him."

Mollie chuckled.

"There was probably a very good reason for his _backing_ off," she said.
"I shouldn't wonder if after that he kept his meditations to himself."

"Yes," said Grace, with gentle malice, "I've long since concluded that
it's better to keep still about personal matters, no matter what you
think."

"Well, perhaps you have," said gentle Amy with sudden spirit: "But I must
say I never noticed it."

Grace struck a dramatic attitude.

"And you too, Amy?" she cried. "Ah, this is too much--"

"Yes, it's all right, dear," soothed Betty, hastily rescuing a basket.
"But please don't step on the lunch. These baskets cost four dollars and
ninety-eight cents at a bargain sale."

"Oh, how sordid of you, Betty," chuckled Mollie. "As if Grace cared for a
mere little five-dollar bill."

"Goodness, I don't know whether I do or not," remarked Grace plaintively.
"It's so long since I've seen one I can't tell."

"As Allen remarks," laughed Betty, as she gathered up the remains of the