ething we can do
right here at home. I do not intend to go out of the house today."

"That's all right. We've had lots of good times here in the Manor.
Maybe we can manage to have one more," Shirley laughed happily.

"You know what I'd like to do, Bet?" said Joy, clapping her hands.
"I'd just love to call Bob and Phil. They'll be so glad that the fan
is found."

For a moment Bet was about to object, then fearing to arouse the
suspicion of the girls toward Phil she agreed.

What would Phil do when he learned that the fan had been recovered?
Would he try to pass it off and appear innocent in the matter? Just
how could he face the Merriweather Girls, knowing what they stood for:
honor, loyalty and friendship?

But Bet kept these thoughts to herself. Her chums must not know
anything about it. She would be loyal to that extent.

Joy called up her brother and then impulsively said, "Just a minute,
Bob! Bet wants to tell you the news!"

"Hello, Bet," came Bob's voice over the phone.

And Bet tried to make herself speak naturally, "We found the fan, Bob!
Isn't it great!"

"By Jimminy! Hurrah for the Merriweather Girls! Where was it? Who
took it?"

"We'll give you the whole story later. It's too long to telephone."

"It sounds mysterious, I can hardly wait!"

"Tell Phil, will you, Bob? But don't mention to anyone else just at
present. I'll explain when I see you!"

Within an hour the girls heard the familiar tooting of an auto horn in
the yard and a loud shout that they recognized as Bob's, followed by
Phil's more subdued call.

"Those dear boys!" exclaimed Kit. "You know girls, they haven't been
around much lately and I've been ever and ever so lonesome. I--I like
boys!"

"You didn't have to tell us that, Kit Patten. Just as if we couldn't
see that you're boy crazy!"

"I am not, Joy Evans! I like boys, but I'm not silly over them. I
like them the way I do my kid brother at home and the way I like
Powder, my pony."

"Oh ho, ho! Wait until I tell Bob and Phil. Kit likes them the same
as she does Powder, her pony!"

"Oh Joy, please keep still or they'll hear!" Kit shook the laughing
girl but it was too good a joke to keep. As soon as Bet had opened the
door, Joy shouted it as a greeting.

"Come on in, boys! Kit says you're most as nice as her pony. Prance
right up and get your lump of sugar and your measure of oats!" teased
Joy.

Bob and Phil were so relieved that the fan had bee