And then he added: "Did she say anything about the Lanings ?" For the Laning girls, Nellie and Grace, were cousins to Dora Stanhope, and Tom and Sam thought almost as much of them as Dick did of Dora.
"To be sure she did," replied Dick.

"But I guess it's--well, it's a secret." "A secret!" shouted Sam.

"Not much, Dick! Let us in on it at once!" "Yes, do!" put in Tom.
"But it may prove a disappointment." "We'll chance it," returned Tom.
"Well then, Dora wrote that if she and her mother could find a nice cottage at Los Angeles or Santa Barbara they were going to invite Nellie and Grace to come out and keep house with them for six months or so." "Hurrah!" cried Sam enthusiastically.

"I hope they come.

If they do, won't the six of us just have boss times!" And his face glowed with anticipation.
"We can certainly have good times if Mrs.Stanhope's health will permit," said Dick.