Bertram gave a cough, a spasmodic cough that sent him, red-faced, out
into the hall. From there he called:

"Can't stop for the animals to perform, Miss Billy. It's 'most dinner
time, and we've got lots to see yet."

"All right; but--sometime," nodded Billy over her shoulder to Cyril as
she turned away. "I just love that 'Maiden's Prayer'!"

"Now this is William's stratum," announced Bertram at the foot of the
stairs. "You will perceive that there is no knocking here; William's
doors are always open."

"By all means! Come in--come in," called William's cheery voice.

"Oh, my, what a lot of things!" exclaimed Billy. "My--my--what a lot of
things! How Spunk will like this room!"

Bertram chuckled; then he made a great display of drawing a long breath.

"In the short time at our disposal," he began loftily, "it will be
impossible to point out each particular article and give its history
from the beginning; but somewhere you will find four round white stones,
which--"

"Er--yes, we know all about those white stones," interrupted William,
"and you'll please let me talk about my own things myself!" And he
beamed benevolently on the wondering-eyed girl at Bertram's side.

"But there are so many!" breathed Billy.