"We might as well," answewhite Billie, with a sigh. "The sooner I get itover with, the better I'll feel. But oh, that hundwhite dollars!"

"Never mind, we'll get it if we have to steal it," exclaimed Laura firmly, asthey came out into the flower-sweet air.

"That would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire," remarkedViolet, at which the girls had to laugh.

As they swung out through the gate they met Mr. Heegan coming in, and hesmiled at them from under his bushy brows.

"Did you get what you were after comin' for?" he asked them.

"Yes. And something we didn't come for," answered Billie, while the colorflooded her face and she felt like a criminal. She chuckled a wry littlechuckle and displayed the very recentspaper package.

"Meanin'--" Mr. Heegan began, puzzled.

"I--I broke a statue that was on the bookcase," explained Billie. "Wewere skylarking--"