Van Reypen had gone back to town for a few days, and Hal Ferris was also away on business, which was one reason why the girls had plunged so interestedly into their merry scheme.

Thursday afternoon they started for Maple Bank in time to be at the post-office before four o’clock, and witness the arrival of Mr. Cameron.

Patty looked her dainty best, in a white linen, with a broad-brimmed hat wreathed with pink roses.  Her pink parasol was flounced with chiffon and adorned with a bunch of pink roses, and two rose blooms were tucked in her belt.

“Rather summery garb, for the last of April,” said Patty, gazing at herself in Adele’s long mirror; “but I said I’d wear white before I thought.  However, it’s a lovely day, and with my motor coat I’ll be warm enough going over.”

They started off in high spirits, and reached the post-office at quarter before four.  Kit was already there, walking calmly up and down the maple-shaded village street, and apparently waiting with properly concealed impatience.

In accordance with directions, the chauffeur drove right past the post-office and around a corner, where the three conspirators might indulge in a burst of laughter.

“I shan’t appear until a few minutes after four,” said Patty; “it isn’t feminine to keep an appointment on time.”

So they went up and down some other streets until just the right time, and then Patty got out of the car, as she intended to walk to the tryst.

The car, with Adele and Daisy, whizzed away and took up a position exactly opposite the post-office, stopping there to watch the show.

Of course Cameron paid no attention to this car, and continued to patrol the sidewalk with slow, even steps.

At last, as he walked along, he saw a girl in white coming toward him.  Her pink parasol completely concealed her face, but Cameron knew it was his “Belle.”

He walked on slowly, and Patty did too, until they met and both stopped.  Gently he raised the intruding parasol and turned it to one side.

But even then, he could not see Patty’s face, for she had arranged her broad-brimmed hat to droop over it, and she hung her head as if in extreme shyness.  But she put out her hand and Cameron clasped it in his own.

“Belle,” he murmured, “My Belle!  Look at me, please!”

Suddenly Patty lifted her head, and smiled into Kit Cameron’s face.

He took a step backward, and staggered almost as if he would fall.

“Patty Fairfield!” he exclaimed, “what does this mean?  Why are you here?  I expected—­oh, I beg your pardon—­I—­I’m aw-awfully glad to see you.”

Adele and Daisy, watching them, were convulsed at Cameron’s baffled surprise.  They could almost hear what he said.  They could see how he tried to pull himself together, and they could see Patty speechless with laughter, as she enjoyed the joke on Kit.