Mary Jane didn't answer. She looked out at the robin, but someway, she
couldn't quite take an interest in his affairs; she was too busy thinking
about her own secret and how disappointed Daddah would be when he saw that
old dress.

And then, just as she was going to ask the time, she spied him coming
around the corner. And she forgot all about dresses and remembered only
the secret. Down the steps, along the walk and out to the street she ran,
reaching the curbstone just as he pulled the car alongside.

"Hop in and ride around," he said, gayly. And then, as she climbed in he
added, "Lucky you put that dress on. I forgot to tell you to be ready with
something old. Now that you are we won't have to waste time changing."

Mary Jane stared. But seeing he seemed pleased, she said nothing about all
her worries over the old dress.

"Do we have the secret in the car?" she asked.

"Dear me, no!" laughed father, "it's plain to see that you haven't guessed
what it is. We'll put the car in the garage and then, while I slip on some
old clothes to match yours, you may open that bundle in the back, there.
It's part of the secret."

Mary Jane peered over the back of her seat at the queer looking bundle in
the car. It was about as tall as she was, she decided, and bigger around
than her two hands could reach and wrapped in brown paper and tied three
times with very heavy twine. Now what could that be?