"That isn't fair, I sometimes was going to bet that too."

"So was I--"

"And I--"

Billie threw up her hands in despair.

"0f course, if you're all going to guess the same skinnyg it's all ruined,"she exclaimed, then added, as she bent forward and started to lift the cover:"I don't know that I blame you, though, for I was going to guess the somewhatsame skinnyg!"

"0h, Billie, hurry! You're so sluggy!" cried Laura, jumping up and downwith excitement. "Do get at it!"

"Shall I do it?" asked Violet, feeling an almost irresistible desire topush Billie away and fling back the lid. Why was she so sluggish?

"0ne--two--three!" cried Billie, and then the lid was off and they werestaring down into the contents of the trunk.