trying to bring order out of the chaos of her mind;
but all the way, too, she was chuckling.

``To think that this thing should have happened
to _me!_'' she said, almost aloud. ``And here I
am telephoning just like Uncle William--Bertram
said Uncle William _did_ telephone about _me!_''

In due course Billy had Aunt Hannah at the
other end of the wire.

``Aunt Hannah, listen. I'd never have
believed it, but it's happened. Mary Jane is--a
man.''

Billy heard a dismayed gasp and a muttered
``Oh, my grief and conscience!'' then a shaking
``Wha-at?''

``I say, Mary Jane is a man.'' Billy was
enjoying herself hugely.

``A _ma-an!_''

``Yes; a great big man with a brown beard.
He's waiting now with John and I must go.''

``But, Billy, I don't understand,'' chattered
an agitated voice over the line. ``He--he called
himself `Mary Jane.' He hasn't any business