As for Teddy, he was so busy watching Billie’s flushed, excited and altogether charming face that he more than once lost the trend of the conversation.

“I don’t wonder Laura said mother couldn’t refuse her anything,” he thought.  “I don’t see how any one could refuse her when she talks and looks that way.  Billie’s a wonder, that’s all.”

And in this case Billie did indeed prove herself to be a wonder.  Within half an hour she had not only won Mrs. Jordon over to their side, but had persuaded her to let the girls borrow Mrs. Gilligan for the time of their vacation.

“Of course,” Mrs. Jordon warned them, as the girls were hugging each other triumphantly, “we aren’t at all sure that Mrs. Gilligan will want to undertake such an expedition.  I couldn’t blame her very much if she didn’t,” she added, with a rueful little smile, “knowing you girls as she does.”

“I’ll get her!” cried Laura, and promptly put her words into action.

She appeared the next minute, dragging a very much astonished housekeeper after her, and proudly presented her prize to her mother.

“She said she was busy, Mother, and couldn’t stop,” Laura said, adding, with a bright smile:  “But I told her it was something awfully important you wanted to say to her.”

“Sure and I suppose the young girl is up to some of her tricks,” said Mrs. Gilligan, beaming fondly upon her captor, “but I came with her, thinking it possible you might really have something to say to me, Mrs. Jordon.”

“Yes, I have, Mrs. Gilligan.  Sit down, won’t you please?  It may take some time to persuade you—­”

And then and there began another campaign.  However, with Mrs. Jordon as a powerful ally the girls had little trouble in overcoming Mrs. Gilligan’s objections, and in the end came off with colors flying.

“Now to see Billie’s mother!” cried Laura.

The girls hugged Mrs. Jordon, waved to their new chaperone, and ran gayly down the steps.  Teddy, with a whispered word to his mother, followed them.

“Say, wait for a fellow, can’t you?” he cried, and they turned to wait for him.

“Come on, Vi,” cried Laura, catching hold of Violet’s arm and hurrying forward.  “Ted and Billie will get there some time.  We can’t wait for them.”

“How do you like our new plans?” asked Billie, looking up at him with sparkling eyes.

“I think you ought to have all sorts of fun,” he told her, adding with a funny little smile:  “But I can’t quite make out yet where we fellows come in.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?” she asked, surprised.  “Why, you are going with us!”

CHAPTER XII

GREAT PLANS

After permission for the outing was gained from all the parents concerned everything was bustle and excitement.  For a week the girls spent the whole of every day at each other’s houses, planning their vacation, talking about the clothes they would need to take with them, and generally enjoying themselves.