As quickly as possible the answer came back.

It was a rainy day, and Adele sent the chauffeur to Maple Bank after it.

The three gathered in Patty’s room to hear it read, and were not surprised that it ran after this manner: 

“Belle: 

How could you know the dearest way to sign yourself?  Any other word would have spoiled it!  But Belle!  My beautiful one!  I must see you!  The picture is just what I anticipated, only more sweet and soulful.  You are an angel, and I must see you or die.  Do not make me wait.  May I fly to Maple Bank at once?  Meet me somewhere.  No one will know it,—­but I must look once into those dear eyes!

Your own

Christopher.”

“Oh, Kit, Kit!” exclaimed Patty, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes; “I didn’t know you could be such an idiot!  Adele, we must have him come up here.”

“Oh, of course.  How shall we arrange a meeting?”

“I’ll tell you,” said Daisy, “write him that Belle will meet him in front of the Maple Bank post-office.  Then let Patty meet him, you know, and we’ll sit in the car and see the fun.”

“All right,” Patty agreed.  “Won’t he be mad when he sees me!”

So they wrote: 

“My Christopher: 

I knew we were made for each other.  I, too, feel that I must see you.  But our meeting must be secret.  I cannot risk my people knowing about it.  So, will you meet me in front of the Maple Bank post-office at four o’clock on Thursday afternoon?  I would like a more secluded place, but I dare not.  The post-office is on a beautiful maple-shaded street and we can meet casually, as if we were ordinary passersby.  You must only speak with me a few moments, and let me look once deep in your eyes, and then you must pass on,—­out of my life forever!  But I shall have at least one moment of blissful rapture!  You will know me, because I shall wear white, with pink roses in my hat, and a pink parasol.  I can hardly wait for Thursday!  Come soon to

Your

Belle.”

“I rather guess that’ll fetch him,” observed Patty, complacently, as she sealed the envelope.  “I knew Kit was a romantic goose, but I didn’t suppose he’d be up to these tricks.”

“Of course we’ll bring him home with us, Patty,” said Adele.

“Yes, he’ll come fast enough.”

“If he isn’t too mad at you,” put in Daisy.

“Oh, he won’t be mad,” returned Patty; “he’ll be terribly cut up at first, to think I tricked him so, but he’ll get over it.  And I warn you, Adele, if he comes here he’ll play some fearful joke on us to get even.”

“I don’t mind,” said Adele, “I like a joke once in awhile as well as anybody else.  Now if he comes Thursday, Patty, will he stay over Saturday?  That’s May-day, you know, and I’d like to have him here for the celebration.”

“He’ll be here if you ask him; even if he has to go back to the city Friday and come up again for Saturday.  Phil and Roger come Saturday, you know.”