Chapter V. Secrets

hutupinwinter. “Theyaregoingtohaveaplay,afterall,andthatgreenstuffwasthecurtain,”saidMollyLoo,asthegirlstalkeditoveroneday,whentheysatwiththeirbacksturnedtooneanother,puttinglaststitchesincertainbitsofworkwhichhadtobeconcealedfromalleyes,thoughitwasfoundconvenienttoaskoneanother'stasteastothecolor,materials,andsizesofthesemysteriousarticles. “Ithinkitisgoingtobeadance.IheardtheboysdoingtheirstepswhenIwentinlasteveningtofindoutwhetherJacklikedblueoryellowbest,soIcouldputthebowonhispen-wiper,”declaredMerry,knittingbrisklyawayatthelastofthepairofprettywhitebed-socksshewasmakingforJillrightunderherinquisitivelittlenose. “Theywouldn'thaveapartyofthatkindwithoutJackandme.Itisonlyanextranicetree,youseeifitisn't,”answeredJillfrombehindthepillowswhichmadeatemporaryscreentohidethetoiletmatsshewaspreparingforallherfriends. “Everyoneofyouiswrong,andyou'dbetterresteasy,foryouwon'tfindoutthebestpartofit,tryasyoumay.”AndMrs.Pecqactuallychuckledasshe,too,workedawayatsomebitsofmuslin,withherbackturnedtotheveryunsocial-lookinggroup. “Well,Idon'tcare,we'vegotasecretallourown,andwon'tevertell,willwe?”criedJill,fallingbackontheHomeMissionarySociety,thoughitwasnotyetbegun. “Never!”answeredthegirls,andalltookgreatcomfortintheideathatonemysterywouldnotbeclearedup,evenatChristmas. Jackgaveupguessing,indespair,afterhehadsuggestedanewdining-roomwherehecouldeatwiththefamily,aprivateschoolinwhichhislessonsmightgoonwithatutor,oratheatrefortheproductionofthefarcesinwhichhedelighted. “Itisgoingtobeusedtokeepsomethinginthatyouareve