The request was certainly very peculiar, but the girls were able to conceal their surprise, great as it was. "Very well," said Marcia, soothingly. "If you'd rather have it that way, we certainly won't speak of it. But I've just had another idea. I remember Aunt Minerva had a certain kind of salve that she used for her ankle, and she kept it tightly bandaged on. It did her lots of good--cured her, in fact. Now I believe I could get that salve at a drug-store here--" "Oh, _could_ you?" exclaimed Cecily, in immense relief. "Let us go at once." "But you needn't trouble to go," said Marcia. "We won't be ten minutes and will come right back with it." "I prefer to go," replied Cecily Marlowe, with such an air of quiet finality that neither dared to question it. All three started out, after Cecily had locked the gate, and proceeded to the nearest drug-store. Here Marcia made the purchase, and paid for it from the change in her own hand-bag. But when they were outside the store Cecily turned to her gravely: "I have a little English money of my own, but I did not like to offer it in the shop. If you will--will tell me how much the salve cost--in shillings--I will give it to you." And she held out several English shillings to Marcia. "Oh, you needn't do that! I'm glad to be able to think of something to do for Miss Benedict. It's such a little matter--" "Please!" reiterated Cecily. "I wish to tell her I bought it myself." "Why?" cried Marcia, and then the next moment wished she could recall a question that seemed to border on the personal. "Because I--I dare not tell her I have--have been talking to you!" hesitated Cecily, in an unusual burst of candor. And after that revelation they all walked back to the gate in an uneasy silence. When they stood again in front of the blank barrier to the mysterious house, Cecily turned to Marcia. "I love your music," she said. "I always listen to it whenever you play. I knew you had been playing--just for me--these last few days, and I wanted to look out of my window and--and wave to you, but--I must not. I am always there when you play--listening. I wanted you to know it." "Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Marcia, delightedly. "I _hoped_ it would please you. I'll play more than ever now. I'll do all my practising there, too." "Cecily," said Janet, abruptly, venturing on personal ground for the first time, "you are very lonely there, in that big house, with no other young folks, aren't you?" "Yes," answered Cecily, speaking very low, and glancing in an uncertain way at the gate. "Well, why don't you ask--er--Miss Benedict, if you couldn't run in and visit us once in a while, or go out for a walk with us sometimes? Surely she wouldn't object to that." "Oh, no, no!" cried Cecily, hastily. "I'd--oh, _how_ I'd love to, but--but--it wouldn't do,--it wouldn't be allowed! No, I must not." There was nothing more to be said.