oomily. "There were three lighted lamps on our kitchen table last
night, and Judy Pineau says that's a sure sign of a funeral."

"Well, there are funerals going on all the time," said Dan.

"But it means the funeral of somebody you know. I don't believe in
it--MUCH--but Judy says she's seen it come true time and again. I hope
if it does it won't be anybody we know very well. But I hope it'll be
somebody I know a LITTLE, because then I might get to the funeral. I'd
just love to go to a funeral."

"That's a dreadful thing to say," commented Felicity in a shocked tone.

Sara Ray looked bewildered.

"I don't see what is dreadful in it," she protested.

"People don't go to funerals for the fun of it," said Felicity severely.
"And you just as good as said you hoped somebody you knew would die so
you'd get to the funeral."

"No, no, I didn't. I didn't mean that AT ALL, Felicity. I don't want
anybody to die; but what I meant was, if anybody I knew HAD to die there
might be a chance to go to the funeral. I've never been to a single
funeral yet, and it must be so interesting."

"Well, don't mix up talk about funerals with talk about weddings," said
Felicity. "It isn't lucky. I think Miss Reade is simply throwing herself
away, but I hope she'll be happy. And I hope the Awkward Man will manage
to get married without making some awful blunder, but it's more than I
expect."

"The ceremony is to be very private," said the Story Girl.

"I'd like to see them the day they appear out in church," chuckled Dan.
"How'll he ever manage to bring her in and show her into the pew? I'll
bet he'll go in first--or tramp on her dress--or fall over his feet."

"Maybe he won't go to church at all the first Sunday and she'll have to
go alone," said Peter. "That happened in Markdale. A man was too bashful
to go to church the first time after getting married, and his wife went
alone till he got used to the idea."

"They may do things like that in Markdale but that is not the way people
behave in Carlisle," said Felicity loftily.

Seeing the Story Girl slipping away with a disapproving face I joined
her.

"What is the matter, Sara?" I asked.

"I hate to hear them talking like that about Miss Reade and Mr. Dale,"
she answered vehemently. "It's really all so beautiful--but they make it
seem silly and absurd, somehow."

"You might tell me all about it, Sara," I insinuated. "I wouldn't
tell--and I'd understand."

"Yes, I think you would,"