You may look, my dear, the big box is all put away," she declared, as though addressing a very small child.
"What a ridiculous person you are, J.Elfreda Briggs," laughed Miriam.
"One might think me at the kindergarten age, instead of your guardian and keeper." "Tell me what it is, Elfreda," teased Grace.
"On one condition," answered Elfreda, reaching for a small square box and beginning to wrap it in holly paper.

"Tell me what you and Arline are planning!" "It's a secret," returned Grace.

"I'd love to tell you, but I am pledged until the day we go home.

When we are all in the train and it has started on the home stretch then you shall know." "There is no time like the present," invited Elfreda.
"No," laughed Grace, shaking her head.

"Not now.