OVER TO SPEAK TO HER."]

"That is one thing."

"If there are many such requirements, I fear I shall prove not eligible."

"Does that mean you can't join?" Rosalind asked, looking disappointed.

"Well, I'll consider it. I'll try to be broad-minded and practise
believing impossible things, like Alice."

"'Six impossible things before breakfast,'" quoted Rosalind. "I am so glad
you know Alice; but it was the White Queen, wasn't it?"

"I shouldn't wonder if it was," Allan answered, laughing.

They went out to the little garden to see the sweet peas and nasturtiums,
and the magician insisted upon gathering some. While they waited Rosalind
told her uncle about the time she took tea with him.

When at last they left the shop, Miss Betty was standing in her door, and
they crossed over to speak to her.

"Well, Allan, I am glad to see you at last," she said, coming down the
walk to meet them.

"You do not appear to have pined away in my absence," he replied, shaking
hands.

Miss Betty shrugged her shoulders. "I was never much on pining, but my
curiosity has been sadly strained."

"What about?"

"You know very well. That ring."

"Now, if that isn't like Friendship," said Allan, laughing, as he followed
her to the porch and made himself comfortable in one of the big rocking
chairs. Rosalind sat on the step arranging her flowers and listening.

"I would have you know I have something else to think about besides
foolish and unreasonable wills and lost jewels," Allan continued. "I
regret I cannot relieve the strain, but so far as I know, the ring has not
been heard of and is not likely to be."

"But if it should be found?" said Miss Betty. "Stranger things have
happened."

"Yes," said Allan.

"Then the question is, do you know what you are going to do with it?"

"That is a question with which I shall not trouble myself until it is
found. I am a lazy person, as you know, Cousin Betty."

"I know nothing of the sort, Allan. Now, there is one thing you might
tell me. Do you know what Cousin Thomas meant, or was it one of his jokes?
Yes or no."

"No," answered Allan, promptly.

Miss Betty looked puzzled; then she laughed. "It is like playing tit, tat,
toe, to talk to you," she exclaimed. "I might have known you'd get ahead
of me."

"I have answered your question as you desired; now let's change the
subject," he suggested gravely.

Rosalind gave a gentle little chuckle. Miss Betty looked at her. "What do
you