"Yes," said Aneta, "Meredith Manor will always be lovely. There is no season of the year when it is not, in my opinion, more charming than any other place I know." "Is your aunt going to stay there long?" asked Maggie, who felt that she need not say anything further with regard to the delights of Meredith Manor just now. "I cannot tell you," replied Aneta. "She mentioned something rather curious. It is connected with you." "With poor little me?" said Maggie. "With you," said Aneta. "You remember telling me that your stepfather is one of the Martyns of The Meadows?" Maggie's face grew crimson, then turned pale. "Well," said Aneta, bringing out her words with great calmness, "it turns out to be a mistake. Your stepfather is no relation whatever to our friends the Martyns. Aunt Lucia and Mrs. Cardew went to call on them the other day, and asked the question. You made a mistake in announcing your stepfather as being a connection of our friends." "Did I? Perhaps so," said Maggie. "I thought he was, that's all." "You thought wrong," said Aneta. "I felt I would mention it to you. He may be just as well connected," she added quietly; "but he is _not_ related to the Martyns of The Meadows." "You speak in a very disagreeable tone," said Maggie. "I don't mean to," replied Aneta; "but I thought I would tell you in order that you should not spread the report any further." "I am sure I don't want to. My stepfather has just as good connections as any one else." "No doubt," said Aneta gently; "only, he is not related to our special friends. You might let Merry and Cicely know." "Why?" asked Maggie in a dogged voice. "You can please yourself. I shall tell them if you don't." "Why do you hate me so much, Aneta?" said Maggie then. "I hate subterfuge and untruth," said Aneta. "I don't hate you. If you would be straight and open and above-board you would find me your best friend." "Thank you so much!" said Maggie in a sneering tone. "When I require you for my best friend it will be time enough for you to offer me that enviable position." Then she added, speaking in a low tone of intense dislike, "Is it likely that any girl would wish to make a best friend of another girl who accused her of subterfuge and want of truthfulness?" The delicate pink rose in Aneta's cheeks. She raised her eyes and looked full up at Maggie. Her clear, calm eyes seemed like mirrors. Maggie felt that she could not meet them. It was just at that moment that Cicely Cardew, in a state of suppressed excitement, came into the room. "Maggie," she said, coming straight up to Maggie Howland, "there's a very large parcel addressed to you in the hall. It has been paid for; we are all dying with curiosity to know what it is." Maggie rose abruptly. "I will go and look at it myself," she said. "A large parcel addressed to me! Who can have sent me anything?" "It looks like a huge dress-box," said Cicely. "We're all curious about it."