hand, ran out from the back porch.

"What ever is the matter?" she cried.

"I was just giving the baby robins a drink," sputtered Mary Jane, "and they
didn't seem to like it!"

Mrs. Merrill gathered her into her arms, wetness and all, and held her
close. "I thought something had happened to my little girl," she said. "You
must come in and get dry clothes on, dear; then I'll tell you more about
the babies and you'll understand why they don't like too much water."

"And _I'll_ tell you something," said father. "If you like to learn about
creatures and everything that grows, you meet me here at the back door step
at five o'clock this afternoon and I'll tell you a secret."

"Oh, goody!" cried Mary Jane, as she clapped her wet hands. "Can't you tell
it to me now?"

"I should say not!" said father importantly, "it's a secret! You'll have to
wait till five o'clock!" And he hurried off to his work leaving Mary Jane
to a day of wondering what might be coming--a pleasant sort of wondering,
for father's secrets were always jolly ones.




FATHER'S SECRET