joined Grace and Madaline in the auto she personally felt like a
wonderful book with uncut pages--overburdened with hidden information
and delicious secrets.

CHAPTER XVII

A SECRET SESSION

"Girls!" Mary addressed all three, just before dinner on the evening of
the day she had called at Crow's Nest, "we must have a real
conference--the kind you have told me about in your scout talks. How
shall we begin, and where can we go to make sure no one will overhear us?"

"In our play-room over the garage," suggested Cleo, "that's really our
club room, you know."

"Yes, that is the safest place," Grace agreed, while Madaline wagged
"yes" with her bobbed head. "Besides, we can leave Shep outside, and he
will warn us if anyone should come around," finished Grace.

But in spite of their serious business, they were really human little
girls after all, for even the prospect of Mary's secrets did not
forestall a vigorous romp to the garage. Madaline fell in first on
Michael's sponges, tools and accessories, for the Dunbar car, which had
been laid up for repairs during the absence of the owner, Mr. Guy Dunbar,
was now being overhauled--a sign the owner was expected soon to return.

"Oh, Michael!" Madaline apologized, gathering up her feet in their pretty
pomps, and shaking herself free from the accessories, "I couldn't help
tumbling in, and I hope I didn't scatter your nuts and bolts and things!"

"All right, little girls," Michael greeted them. "The room up-stairs is
all aired, and Jennie was down to-day with some fixin's. Why don't you
ask her and me to join your club?" he joked inquiringly.

"Yes, of course we should," assented Cleo, who was regarded as Captain.
"That will be lovely; you could be our--our----"

"Grand Marshal!" suggested Michael.

"Yes," and Grace clapped her hands joyfully.

"And Jennie could be our--our----" But Madaline, who attempted to assign
Jennie, was failing miserably in the attempt.

"Don't give Jennie too high an office," interposed Michael with a twinkle
in his eye. "I wouldn't exactly care to have her for my boss."

"Come along to the meeting, girls!" called Cleo, "and we will vote on the
new members. Michael, if you are black-balled you may blame Madaline,
you know," and as a protest against such a contingency, Michael pegged
his biggest sponge at Madaline, who ducked just in time to give the wet
flap to Grace. The jolly interlude somewhat delayed the business session