Mamma heard he wasn't well, and she wrote and invited him to come and spend the winter with us, and she's just had a letter saying he will come.

Aren't you glad, Ned ?" "I'm very well pleased, Rosie, but why shouldn't Zoe have heard your announcement ?" "Because I wanted to warn you first not to tell her or the Raymonds something (you know what) that must be kept secret at first, if we want to have some fun." "Oh, yes!" he said, with a good-humored laugh.

"Well, I think you may trust me not to tell.

But how about all the others?
Walter, especially ?" "Oh, he doesn't remember anything about it; and grandpa and mamma and all the rest have promised not to tell." "And you are quite sure Rosie may be trusted not to let the secret slip out unintentionally ?" he asked, pinching her round rosy cheek.
"I hope so," she said, laughing and running away.
Opening the library door and seeing Lulu there curled up in the corner of a sofa with a book, she stepped in, shutting the door behind her.
Lulu looked up.
"Shall I disturb you if I talk ?" asked Rose.
"I'm ready to listen," answered Lulu, half closing her book.

"What have you to say ?" "Oh, that Cousin Ronald Lilburn is coming, and I'm ever so glad, as you would be, too, if you knew him." "I never heard of him," said Lulu.