At the bottom of the steps Betty turned and faced them. "You dear people," she began, but choked and had to try again. "I--we--want to thank you----" Then, as two tears forced their way through and rolled unchecked down her face, she turned and ran up the car steps. "All we can say," she added, smiling unsteadily down at them as the train began to move, "is, just that we--we--love you all!" CHAPTER XVI THE HOSTESS HOUSE Once settled comfortably in the seats, the girls smiled across at each other unsteadily. "We didn't deserve it," said Amy, brushing away a tiresome tear that would insist upon trickling down her face. "None of us did, except Betty," said Grace, recovering enough to open the chocolate box she had thoughtfully purchased at a drug store. "She was the one who really thought up all the things, and all we did was follow where she led." "That's foolish, and you know it is," said Betty, beginning to get indignant. "I'd like to know how much of it I could have done without you girls! And of course the boys helped wonderfully, too." "Goodness, what's the use of arguing?" Mollie broke in. "The fact remains that we've been cheered by a crowd of our friends, made speeches to, and presented with bouquets, and I don't care whose fault it was it all happened. I'm too happy." "Happy," echoed Amy, gazing dreamily out of the window at the flying landscape. "I never was so happy in my life before--except for one thing." Her face clouded a little and she bit her lip. "What one thing?" asked Mollie with interest. Grace and Betty turned to gaze at her inquiringly. "Oh, n--nothing," stammered Amy, very much confused to find all eyes upon her. "I was just--thinking aloud, I guess." "Well, do it some more," suggested Grace, passing her the candy. "Something tells me it might be interesting." "Goodness, it is interesting," laughed Betty, changing the subject to save Amy further embarrassment. "Have any of you girls ever heard Grace talk in her sleep?" "Now, Betty," Grace turned upon her reproachfully. "You're never going to--" "Yes, she is," cried Mollie gleefully. "What does she say, Betty? It ought to be good." "I never say anything that isn't good," put in Grace primly, adding, as she saw the light of mischief in Betty's eye. "If you tell tales out of school, Betty Nelson, I'll never forgive you." "It's awfully funny," began Betty, bubbling over, while Mollie leaned forward gleefully. "She talks in such a wee small voice, and sometimes she'll even answer questions--if you speak very coaxingly." "I know, but what does she _say_?" asked Mollie impatiently. "Goodness, I've missed a lot." "Well, I remember one conversation we had," began Betty reflectively. "Betty," Grace broke in imploringly, "I had a mistaken notion that you were a friend of mine." "I am, dear," answered Betty soothingly. "I won't give away any secrets--not many, anyway----" "Betty," cried Grace desperately, "I'll stop you if I have to use force."