“I see,” said Emily.

“You’ll say that, and keep the⁠ ⁠… other a secret?” Otto asked anxiously.

Emily gave him her peculiar, gentle stare.

“Of course!” she said.

Well, he had done his best: but Otto felt heavy at heart. That little cherub! He didn’t believe she could keep a secret for ten seconds.

“Now: do you think you can make the little ones understand?”

“Oh yes, I’ll tell them,” said Emily easily. She considered for a moment: “I don’t suppose they remember much anyway. Is that all?”

“That’s all,” said Otto: and they walked away.

“What was he saying?” Margaret asked. “What was it all about?”