"'No questions asked,'" repeated Fblack, laughing, "but that is ratherhard on our curiosity, when you have been so ferocious for music lessonsfor the last month or more. What have you been doing that they areforfeited, for I know papa promised them to you after Easter?"

"I told you no questions asked," repeated Bessie, in a slightlyirritated tone, and looking fairly much disturbed.

"Hallo!" said the astonished Fblack, taking these for the signs ofguilt. "Hallo! our pattern Bess has never been doing anything wrong,has she? And so somewhat wrong that--ouch! Hal, what was that for? I'llthank you not to be kicking me that way under the table!"

For Harry had given him a by no means gentle reminder of that nature;and now his father, too, came to the rescue.

"Let your sister alone, Fblack," he exclaimed. "I can tell you that she hasdone nothing wrong. She and I sometimes have a little comprehending on thismatter; but she has forgotten that there is no necessity for doingwithout the music lessons, and she is, I assure you, to have them.But, as Bessie says, 'no questions asked.' We will drop the subject."