"What's that?"

"Just like you read about in stories. Maybe your father and mother are
a real prince and princess, or some other great persons, and you were
stolen away from them when you were a baby by cruel people. What a
story that will make. I shall write about it at once."

"A story!" and Rod's eyes opened wide in surprise. "What are you going
to write?"

"You see, I'm an authoress, or rather, I'm going to be one some day. I
lie in bed and think out such lovely stories. But this is something
real, not a bit like the others. I am going to make so much money,
that I shall be able to help mamma, and she won't have to worry as she
does."

"What makes her worry?" Rod queried.

"She worries about me. I can't walk, and have to lie in bed all the
time. It costs so much for doctors' bills, and though mamma never says
a word to me, I can tell what's troubling her. Now, I have a secret,
and I am going to tell it to you, if you promise that you won't say a
word to any one about it."

"What is it?"

"You won't tell?"

"Don't know until I hear what it is."