while, or go out for a walk with us sometimes? Surely she wouldn't object to that." "Oh, no, no!" cried Cecily, hastily. "I'd—oh, how I'd love to, but—but—it wouldn't do,—it wouldn't be allowed! No, I must not." There was nothing more to be said. "At least, then," added Marcia, "you'll let us know if you need anything else—you'll signal to us?" "Yes," said Cecily, "I'll do that." She got out the key, and unlocked the gate. Then she faced them with a sudden, passionate sob. "You are so wonderfully good to me! I love you—both! You're all I have to—care for!" Then the gate was shut, and they heard her footsteps fleeing up the pathway. [Pg 62] [Pg 62] CHAPTER VI CECILY REVEALS HERSELF That night the two girls held a council of war. "It's perfectly plain to me," said Marcia, "that that poor little thing is right under Miss Benedict's thumb. I think the way she's treated is scandalous—not allowed to go out, or speak to, or associate with, any one! And scared out of her wits all the time, evidently. What on earth is she there for, anyhow?" Janet scorned to reply to the old, unanswerable question. Instead she remarked: "She's breaking her heart about it, too. I can see that. And, Marcia, wasn't it strange—what she said just at the last—that she loved us, and that we were all she had to care for! Where can all her relatives and family be? Miss Benedict certainly can't be a relative, for Cecily calls her 'Miss.' To think of that lovely[Pg 63] little thing without a soul to care for her—except ourselves. Why, Marcia, it's—it's amazing! But the main question now is what are we going to do about it? We must help her somehow!" [Pg 63] "I know what I'm going to do about it," replied Marcia, decisively. "I'm going to tell Aunt Minerva about it, and see if she
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