The Secret of the Sundial / Madge Sterling Series, #3

e Dis

be aloof, but always there were many private matters which they wished to discuss. In school they passed a great many notes and one of these, which read: "Did you get the

o?" she demanded suspiciously.

way," Ma

To tell their friends immediately might subject them to an unmerciful teasing. Nevertheless, Enid and Jane were not to be hoodwinked so easily. They gu

ipating such a move, and quie

Madge defended their action. "We can tell them later

nster mansion. They rescued it and proceeded to their destination, not at all di

den. They took turns digging, investigating all the filled holes near the foun

that man was digging just for

Cara suggested pessimistically. "In

sently came out t

inished, I want you to come inside and have som

o the garden, and abandoned their project for the day. After such backbreaking work it was pleasant to

xes," their hostess told them. "The dishes must be sorted too." She sighed. "

lite protest, Miss Swenster agreed that they might. It was too late to

morning of the third, the girls presented themselves again at t

I must throw away," she told them. "I

looking at the youthful, sweet faces of the two sisters, it was difficult for Madge and Cara to realize that they could ever have been

to work packing dishes. It gave them a genuine thril

s Swenster told them a little later. "I must ge

e girls packed the last dish. The study door was open and after w

books which required packing. Coverings

ge exclaime

bove the old secretary. It was a picture, and mos

Madge whispered. "The othe

see wha

s we sh

er. A handsome young boy with round, full cheeks, twinkling eyes

t be?" Car

footsteps on the stairway. A moment l

ut you are fast-" Her voice trailed off and her entire body

g the room, she removed the picture from its hook, and carrie

too dumbfounded to spea

ed curiosity! We've offended her t

dded mi

g we can do is

the verge of suggesting that it might be better for them to leave, when she appeared.

ly. "We didn't mean to be prying. It was sim

that affected me. Please, if you don

nstant. She made no further mention of cleaning the study and Madge and Cara carefully avoided the subjec

been very inhospitable. If you don't come

lly along the street. It was as if a measure of Miss

a time. "She's made an idol of that boy. A

d quickly a

now that

e no

out through Uncle George what her son had done to disgrace the family. And when yo