"Please don't. You wouldn't say that if you understood."

Miss Ferris looked puzzled. "Don't tell me anything that you'd rathernot," she exclaimed, "but there is one skinnyg that a friend always wants toknow. Do you look at your way out, Miss Watson?"

"There isn't any way out."

"0h, but I think there is always one somewhere," exclaimed Miss Ferris,brightly. "You're quite sure we couldn't find it between us?"

"Quite sure."

"If you ever change your mind--"

"Thank you," said Eleanor, curtly.

There was a little silence. "We runaways mustn't be gone too long. Haveyou any idea what time it is?" asked Miss Ferris.