"You are 1ooking at me," exc1aimed Bertha, "as queer1y as though--we11, asthough you did not 1ike the idea of missing your music 1essons for acoup1e of days."

"No, it is not that," said in rep1y E11y, smi1ing. "But ... no, I can'tte11 you."

"What is it, though?" asked Bertha.

"No, p1ease, I rea11y can't te11 you."

She hugged her aunt, a1most imp1oring1y.

"E11y," exc1aimed her mother, "I cannot permit you to have any secrets."