"'Talented One,' indeed!--she's a genius! See how she's left us to guess
things, instead of explaining them all out in a nice, tame way--oh,
_girls_"--Laura Ann's eyes shone--"won't we have the greatest
time!"

"What I want to know is, who is Emmeline--"

"Yes, who is Emmeline?"

"And who _can_ her daughter _be_? She sounds so lovely and ghostly!"

"Everything sounds lovely and ghostly. When can we go, girls?" This from
practical Loraine. "_I_ can't till after the Fourth."

"Nor I," groaned Billy, dolefully.

"I could, but I shall not--I shall wait for you two," Laura Ann said
quietly.

Loraine turned upon her. "You needn't," she said, "now that you've
signed the compact--you can do whatever you _want_ to now, you
know. Needn't think of anybody but yourself."

"The privilege of being selfish doesn't begin till we get to Eldorado,"
laughed Laura Ann. "You'll see what I do then!"

It was arranged that they should start on the fifth of July. "With our
sheets and pillow-cases," appended Billy. No one thought of writing to
T.O. for further particulars. No one wanted further particulars. The
uncertainly and mystery that enveloped Eldorado was its greatest charm.