not our own secret,
remember. It is Lewis's. And we have promised him to say nothing
about it, so of course we mustn't."

When the case was put that way it certainly sounded right to hold one's
tongue. And yet a little time before it had seemed equally right to go
home and confess that they had taken the unusual step of talking to a
stranger. The younger ones couldn't help feeling that this was very
confusing. Besides, it was disappointing to be forbidden to tell Jane
that they now knew more about Mrs. Howard even than she did.

They would have discussed the subject all the way home if the sight of
Captain West coming to meet them across the fields had not given an
entirely new turn to their thoughts. As soon as they came near enough
to hear what he said he shouted out:

"Come along quickly! I have been looking for you ever since I came
back from Churchbury. There is a surprise for you!"

There was nothing the children liked better than being with their
father. He was away a great part of every day attending Magistrates'
meetings, Boards of Guardians, and other useful county work. When he
came home late in the afternoon, Madge, Betty, and John made such a
rush for him that Mrs. West often complained that she could not get any
attention until the children had gone to bed. It was no use her trying
to talk, she said, every word was drowned by the three loud voices that
insisted upon being heard and answered.

At the bare mention of a surprise the children set off running. They
knew of old that their father's surprises usually meant a new toy or
something good to eat. As they rushed up to him he quietly stepped on
one side, and they all three rolled over in a heap.

"That was a fine escape for me," laughed Captain West. "If I hadn't
been on the look-out you would have knocked me over too, I suppose.
No, I will not be pawed by six dirty hands! There's nothing in my
pocket, I tell you!"

"But you said there was a surprise!" panted John, who had not been able
to run quite as fast as his sisters, and consequently had fallen on the
top of the heap and was the first to rise.

"Quite true! But all surprises aren't made of chocolate, and don't
live in my pocket as you seem to think," replied Captain West. "This
one came from America. Now guess what it is?"

"But we can't!" shouted three despairing voices. "Oh, please tell us!
Do tell us!"

"Nonsense! A little thinking strengthens the mind," said Cap