"My mother will find out; besides, I am afraid
it isn't right."

"Who ever told you it was wrong?"

"Nobody ever did," admitted Amelia.

"Well, then you haven't any reason to think it is,"
said Lily, triumphantly. "And how is your mother
ever going to find it out?"

"I don't know."

"Isn't she ill in her room? And does she ever
come to kiss you good night, the way my mother
does, when she is well?"

"No," admitted Amelia.

"And neither of your grandmothers?"

"Grandmother Stark would think it was silly,
like mother, and Grandmother Wheeler can't go up
and down stairs very well."

"I can't see but you are perfectly safe. I am the
only one that runs any risk at all. I run a great deal
of risk, but I am willing to take it," said Lily with
a virtuous air. Lily had a small but rather involved
scheme simply for her own ends, which did not seem