"First of all, I came to Boston intending to get something to do as a first step toward the West, but would you believe it whom should I run into the day after I landed but Doc. He grabbed me by the arm, and I felt the way I did the day Mr. Simpson appeared in the doorway of the 'E.K.' He hardly spoke to me, but hustled me off to his house, and there I found the explanation of his queer behavior. "Mrs. Todd was sitting in the office waiting for me! My ears still tingle when I remember what she said! But I guess I deserved it. And now comes the amazing part of my story. "I am going to school. She and Doc, who are old friends, by the way, insist upon it. Then, next spring, one of my 'E.K.' schemes is coming true. Mrs. Todd is going to let me raise sheep on her place. This is all thanks to you, Princess, and some day I'm going to show you that I am really grateful. "Mrs. Todd wants me to tell you that she will be back within a few days, and she hopes it will be in time for your surprise. What is your surprise? "Yours in the bonds of the E.K. "PETER GIBBS." Janet read the letter aloud to Phyllis and explained the parts of it that she did not understand. "I knew Mrs. Todd would do something like that," Janet exclaimed, delightedly. "She must be a dear," Phyllis said. "I'm crazy to meet her." It seemed to Janet that with this last good news her cup of happiness was full to overflowing. The next few days passed all too hurriedly. They spent them out of doors for the most part, either driving or paddling on the bay. Phyllis added admiration to her affection for Janet. It seemed to her that she could do almost everything in the outdoor line and do it well. As a city girl she marveled and predicted a great success in athletics at school. The day before the tea was so warm and sunshiny that they decided to have a picnic out in the woods. Martha packed them a basket filled with twice as much as they needed, and they made an early start. They walked out into the country beyond the village, and Tom chose a sheltered corner under the lee of a hill, and built a fire. Janet helped him, and together they roasted potatoes and broiled a steak. Auntie Mogs and Phyllis watched and offered suggestions. Phyllis upset a jar of Martha's specially preserved peaches, but only Tom saw her, and she scooped them back into the glass, only adding a pine needle or two. "Tommy, don't you dare to tell," she whispered, and Tom, who had dropped the steak only the minute before had to promise. It was a merry little party, and Tom kept them all laughing with tales about picnics and camping trips out in the West. "Tommy, I think, now that you have found two new and perfectly nice sisters, that the least you could do would be to invite them out to pay you a visit," Phyllis suggested airily. "Oh, you do, eh?" Tom asked lazily. "Of course I do; don't you, Janet?"--Phyllis turned for support. "I do," Janet answered solemnly.