Doris did not have an opportunity that day to speak to the Misses Gates concerning the mysterious paper which Cora and Henry Sully had mentioned, for an old friend of the ladies called at the mansion and the subject could not be brought up in her presence. The next day she fully intended to speak of the matter, but it seemed that she was never alone with the twins for ten minutes at a time. Either Cora or Henry remained within listening distance and the girls wondered if they could be suspicious. The afternoon mail brought a note from Dave Chamberlin, and for the time being Doris and Kitty forgot the problems which troubled them. “Dear Doris,” the note read, “Marshmallow and I think tomorrow would be a great day for that picnic we planned. How about it? If we don’t hear from you to the contrary, we’ll be at your doorstep tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about grub. We’ll bring enough for an army. Dave.” “What a relief it will be to get away for a day,” Kitty declared. “There’s nothing to prevent our going, is there?” “No, I heard Azalea say that Ronald was coming tomorrow but that’s all the more reason for me to be away. He’ll plague me about that loan and I’m not ready to give him the money yet.” “We’ll not have to bother about fixing a lot of things, either,” Kitty went on. “That will make the picnic more enjoyable.” “Yes, I don’t mind getting things ready when I’m at home, but when you’re visiting, it’s different. Cora is so cross and she doesn’t like to have any one step into her kitchen, let alone use it.” “Wonder where we’ll go?” “Oh, Dave probably knows some nice place. Let’s go tell the Misses Gates now that we are going, and then if they should have any objection, we could let Dave know.” Azalea had gone to her room but they found Iris in the kitchen making out the market list. Upon being told of the plan she at once approved of it. “I have never met this young man you call Marshmallow,” she smiled, “but if he is at all like your friend David I am sure I would approve of him. By all means have your picnic, and Cora will make you something nice to take with you.” “We don’t like to trouble you,” Doris murmured. “It will be no trouble at all,” Iris assured her. “I wouldn’t think of letting you go without a well-filled basket. Cora, you might make one of your pineapple cakes.” “We’re out of eggs,” the housekeeper said crossly without glancing up from the pan of potatoes which she was peeling. “Then I’ll add two dozen to the market list,” Iris said. “What else will you want? Pickles and olives, of course. And sandwiches. When I was young, a picnic just wasn’t a picnic without plenty to eat.” “I’m sure we’ll have enough,” Doris laughed. “Marshmallow’s mother is a wonderful cook and he always brings enough for six.” True to their word, Dave and Marshmallow drove up to the mansion gate the next morning shortly after ten o’clock.