BETH BEGINS TO PLOT Once back in their sitting-room behind closed doors, Beth, Patsy and Kenneth got their three heads together and began eagerly to discuss a plot which Beth had hinted of on the way home and now unfolded in detail.

And while they still whispered together a knock at the door startled them and made them look rather guilty until the boy answered the call and admitted little Tato.
The child's beautiful face wore a smile of demure satisfaction as Tato bowed respectfully to the young Americans.
Kenneth winked at Beth from behind the visitor's back.
"As you have a guest," he remarked, with a yawn that was somewhat rude, "I shall now go and take my nap." "What, do you sleep so early in the day, you lazy-bones ?" asked Patsy, brightly.
"Any time, my dear, is good enough for an overworked artist," he replied.

"Au revoir, my cousins.

See you at luncheon." With this he strolled away, and when he had gone Beth said to Tato: "Won't you sit down, signorina ?" "Do you mean me ?" asked the child, as if surprised.
"Yes; I can see plainly that you are a girl." "And a pretty one, too, my dear," added Patsy.
Tato blushed as if embarrassed, but in a moment smiled upon the American girls.
"Do you think me immodest, then ?" she asked, anxiously.
"By no means, my dear," Beth assured her.

"I suppose you have an excellent reason for wearing boys' clothes." "So I have, signorina.