"Poor Margaret, she was so upset by what happened last night that I am afraid the news did not cheer her up as much as I thought it would." "Well, you dear little soul," said Alice, "I am simply revelling in happiness and pride because of it, you may be sure of that." "But you have not had such an awful blow as poor Margaret had," said Annie.

Then she brightened.

"Oh Alice," she cried, "I wanted somebody who loved me to be glad." "You have not told your grandmother and aunts yet ?" "I have not dared," replied Annie in a shamed fashion.

"I know I deceived them and I think perhaps grandmother might find it hard not to tell.

She is so old you know, and she does tell a great deal without meaning and Aunt Susan likes to tell news.