e
morning without bothering anybody."

She rose and went to the window. It was quite dark, for, though the
streets were lighted, the lights were far apart, and there was no moon.

Of course, Marjorie never went out alone in the evening, but this was
such an exceptional occasion, she felt sure her parents would not blame
her.

"If only King was here to go with me," she thought. But King was off on
his own errand, and she knew that when he returned he would want to fix
his camera, and, anyway, it would be too late then.

Mr. Cobb's house was only three blocks away, and she could run down
there and back in ten minutes.

Deciding quickly that she must do it, Marjorie put on her coat and hat
and went softly out at the front door. She felt sure that if she told
Nurse Nannie or Kitty of her errand, they would raise objections, so she
determined to steal off alone. "And then," she thought, "it will be fun
to come home and ring the bell, and see Sarah's look of astonishment to
find me at the door!"

It was a pleasant night, though cool, and Marjorie felt a thrill of
excitement as she walked down the dark path to the gate, and then along
the street alone.

In a few moments she reached Mr. Cobb's house, and rang the doorbell.
Mr. Cobb was not at home, but when Mrs. Cobb appeared at the door,
Marjorie made known her errand.

"Why, bless your heart, yes, little girl," said the kindly disposed
woman. "I'll let you take the key, of course. Mr. Cobb, he always keeps
it hangin' right here handy by. So you're goin' over to the school at
sun-up! Well, well, you've got spunk, haven't you, now? And don't bother
to bring 't back. Mr. Cobb, he can stop at your house for it, as he goes
to the school at half-past seven. Mebbe he'll get there 'fore you do,
after all. I dunno if you'll find it so easy to wake up at six o'clock
as you think."

"Oh, yes I will, Mrs. Cobb," said Midget. "I'm going to set an alarm
clock. The only trouble is that will awaken my sister, too. But I
'spect she'll go right to sleep again. You see it's a _very_ important
lesson, and I _must_ have that book."

"All right, little lady. Run along now and get to bed early. Are you
afraid? Shall I walk home with you?"

"Oh, no, thank you. It's only three blocks, and I'll run all the way.
I'm ever so much obliged for the key."

"Oh, that's all right. I'm glad to accommodate you. Good-night."

"Good-night, Mrs. Cobb," said Marjorie, and in another moment the gate