There was a pause. Daddy Morrison was apparently thinking.

"I'll tell you, son," he said presently. "I do not believe Ralph's
school allows their pupils to be called from a class to answer the
telephone, so you had better not try that plan. But Ralph is
coming to the office this noon to go to lunch with Dick. You tell
Mother that I said you were to be permitted to telephone the
office at half-past twelve. In that way you'll catch Ralph here
and can say what you want to him. How will that do?"

"That's fine, Daddy!" replied Brother gratefully. "Thank you ever
so much--wait a minute, Daddy--"

"I'm just saying the good-bye," called Sister, who loved to
telephone.

"Good-bye, youngsters," said Daddy Morrison, laughing as he hung
up the receiver.

"Well, for goodness' sake, what are you two doing here?" demanded
Louise, coming through the hall with something hidden in her
apron. "Who said you could telephone? Whom did you call up?"

"Daddy," answered Brother serenely. "He said I could call the
office again at half-past twelve. What you got, Louise?"

"Secrets," said Louise mysteriously. "People with birthdays
shouldn't ask questions."

She hurried on toward the kitchen and in a few moments the