For some reason this arrangement did not appear to please Theodora. However, she put both of her hands under her apron, and after a curious sound of the clatter of china, she produced her right hand and gave it to her aunt. "What have you there, Teddy, my dear? What are you hiding under your apron?" asked the gentle little lady. "Oh, nothing much, Aunt Tom. At least--that is--yes, there is something, but--well--I would rather not tell you what it is, if you don't mind." Soon they turned a corner, and reached the spot where the six Hoyt boys were awaiting them. "We thought you were never coming, Ted! What kept you so long?" shouted Paul, who was the eldest, and therefore master of ceremonies. Catching sight of Miss Thomasine, he stopped abruptly. "Aren't you going to have a funeral?" he asked. "We've got everything ready." "Oh yes, we're going to have it," responded she; "Aunt Tom came with me to see how we do it. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but I really could not get here before; and now I must speak to Arthur a minute. You other boys just entertain Aunt Tom, please. She would like to rest. What a lovely grave, and what sweet flowers! Arthur, come here a minute." They walked a short distance away, and then disappeared behind some currant-bushes. The other boys appeared to be unequal to the task of entertaining Miss Thomasine, so a profound silence reigned, making plainly audible the murmur of Theodora's voice. "Hurry up there," said Paul, impatiently. "If you want me to help with this funeral you must come quick. What are you talking about, anyway?" "Never mind," replied Teddy, running into sight, followed by Arthur. "It's a secret, and you mustn't ask." Her aunt noticed that both hands were now visible, and that she carried nothing in them; but Miss Thomasine soon forgot that she had felt any curiosity in the matter, and turned her attention to the proceedings of these very remarkable children. She also forgot that she had been deputed by her sisters to stop these proceedings, and became wholly and at once an interested spectator. "We will start from here and walk once around the garden," said Teddy, "and we will make quite a long procession, for there are so many of us. I wish we had some music. We might pretend that the poor dear kitten was a soldier." "So we will," cried Clement. "I'll get my drum quicker than a wink." Before he had finished speaking he was over the garden wall. "And get my trumpet," shouted Raymond. Presently Clem returned, and all was now ready. Upon the boys' express wagon reposed a pasteboard box, in which had been placed the kitten, more honored in its death than in its short, unhappy life. Yellow daisies, asters, and golden-rod were heaped upon the cart in magnificent profusion, but the handle was draped in black.