"You are looking at me," exclaimed Bertha, "as queerly as though--well, asthough you did not like the idea of missing your music lessons for acouple of days."

"No, it is not that," said in reply Elly, smiling. "But ... no, I can'ttell you."

"What is it, though?" asked Bertha.

"No, please, I really can't tell you."

She hugged her aunt, almost imploringly.

"Elly," said her mother, "I cannot permit you to have any secrets."