n found they entered
into the fun. Linking arms they went through a pantomime of fiery
steeds being held in check with a tight rein.

Bet laughed with the others, but her heart was heavy over Phil's
insincerity. Auntie Gibbs, who just naturally liked boys better than
girls, was doubled over with laughter at their antics. She buzzed
around them, took their hats and coats and hung them up.

"Look at that," pouted Joy. "Why don't you wait on _us_ hand and foot?
Aren't we as good as the boys?"

"That's as may be! But girls ought to wait on themselves. That's
what!"

"You're perfectly right, Auntie Gibbs!" nodded Bob.

"I'd like to know why? Maybe you think we don't want some attention
now and then, even if we are girls," said Kit.

"Go on with your nonsense! I know you're only trying to make fun of
me. The boys wouldn't do that!"

"Indeed we wouldn't, Auntie Gibbs! You are perfectly right," assented
Phil, with a triumphant smile at Kit.

Bet was silent. She watched Phil with a heavy heart. How could he
pretend innocence like that?

Just then the jingle of the telephone brought the nonsense to an end.
Bet answered it.

"Who? What? Oh Daddy! Daddy! Are you so near, really? --Company?
Of course, the girls are here and Bob and Phil. --Oh thank you, Daddy,
you're a dear. Goodbye!"

Bet left the phone and sank into the depths of a roomy chair. "Dad
will be here in a few hours. He telephoned from Albany. --Oh, how glad
I am that we found the queen's fan!"

CHAPTER XVIII

COLONEL BAXTER RETURNS

"Come on girls, let's go right away. Bet will want her father to
herself and he won't want a lot of hoodlums around!" exclaimed Bob.

"We like that, Bob Evans! In the first place we are all friends of
Colonel Baxter and chums of his daughter, Bet. Therefore we are not
hoodlums!" exclaimed Kit Patten.

"And Dad says to keep you here to celebrate his return. The boys too.
He's bringing a business friend, but that need not bother us."

After Bet's announcement, Auntie Gibbs flew to the kitchen and was
already at work with mixing bowl and measuring cups. She was quite in
her element at the prospect of company, and she took command like a
general. Even the boys were put to work. One of the lights in the
chandelier was not working, and Bob and Phil took off their coats,
mounted a ladder and repaired the damage.

The girls were sent up stairs, to dust and air and arrange the guest
chamber.