“The ring is so beautiful I’ll be afraid of losing it.” “You can have it reset,” Azalea suggested. It was some time before Doris thought about asking Jake if he had brought the money which she had requested. “No, I didn’t,” he confessed. “When I received your message, I thought something was wrong, so I just left the money in the bank and brought Marshmallow and Dave instead.” “I’m glad you used your own judgment,” Doris assured him, “although I never would have lent that man my money when it came right down to it. Now my bank account is still intact, and I’ll have another thousand to add to it. I guess Uncle Wardell will think I have the makings of a business woman!” Doris and Kitty planned to return home with Jake and their friends, but the Misses Gates would not hear of them departing until after luncheon. After the excitement had died down and all questions had been satisfactorily answered, the girls escorted Jake and the young men about the grounds. Kitty and Marshmallow made excellent use of the opportunity to strengthen their acquaintance. At one o’clock the Misses Gates served a delightful meal in the garden. Since Cora and Henry Sully had departed in great haste, the twins had been forced to prepare it with their own hands, but this they insisted was an honor and a pleasure. In spite of all that had transpired, it seemed to Doris and Kitty that Azalea and Iris were far happier than they had been a few days before. Doris had not forgotten Etta Sully and wondered what was to become of her. She intended to bring up the subject but, before she could do so, Azalea mentioned it. “Iris and I have been talking it over,” she said to the group after luncheon was over, “and it seems to us that Etta should be sent to a special home for cripples. She will need medical attention and of course her education has been sadly neglected. We have decided to use the reward money for that purpose.” “That will be lovely of you,” Doris declared. The girls insisted upon helping with the dishes and, as Marshmallow and Dave volunteered as “second assistants,” the work was dispatched with rapidity and a great deal of fun. “I declare, I feel ten years younger with so many young people around,” Iris laughed. “We’ll hate to see you leave, Doris.” “You will come back often, won’t you?” Azalea pleaded. “Oh, Kitty and I shall be driving this way often, I’m sure,” Doris returned. Not until late in the afternoon did the party take leave of the Misses Gates. The twins accompanied them to the car which was to take them back to Chilton, and waved until they rounded a corner and were lost to view. “You know, after you accustom yourself to a place, it doesn’t seem so spooky,” Kitty commented as they rode slowly along the street. “I can honestly say I’ve learned to like Locked Gates.” “It’s like olives,” Doris laughed. “The first taste is rather unpleasant.”