wouldn't listen to
you if you tried to tell us. We understand. All the more credit to you
for behaving like a clam. That's a compliment. Perhaps I had better
explain. You notice I didn't say you _looked_ like a clam." Hippy tried
to infuse a little humor into the situation.

Grace flashed him an amused smile. "'I thank the gods for a saving sense
of humor,'" she quoted. Her face instantly sobering she said: "We ought
to see Aunt Rose at once about this newspaper affair. Perhaps the three
of us ought to go up to her house before dinner. We shall have time."

"Are you sure you would rather not go alone?" Nora put the question in
her usual direct fashion.

"No; I wish you and Hippy to go with me. But first, Hippy, you must eat
your cakes and drink your lemonade." Grace picked up the well-filled
tray which Hippy had temporarily set aside and held it out to him.
"Don't let this queer new turn in my affairs drive away your desire for
cakes."

"You are the eighth wonder, Grace. If the universe were to turn upside
down I believe you'd forget your own jolts and fly to the rescue of the
other human nine-pins." Hippy looked his admiration of Grace's sturdy
stand under the buffets of misfortune. "I will eat every last one of
these alluring tidbits and drink two glasses of lemonade just to show
you that I know hospitality when I meet it on a veranda."

"See that you do. Now excuse me. I must show this newspaper to Mother.
When I come back we'd better go to see Fairy Godmother."

The confidential session between mother and daughter lasted not more
than ten minutes, yet before it ended Grace crept silently into the
shelter of her mother's arms to shed a few tears on her all-comforting
shoulder. It was not the printed article relating to Tom which prompted
them. It was poignant sorrow for his long unexplained absence from her
that brought brief faltering.

When she returned to the veranda, where Hippy was busy with the last of
the cakes and his second glass of lemonade, her sensitive features bore
no sign of her moment of weakness.

"I have kept my vow." Hippy pointed significantly to the empty plate.
"Nothing remains but a few discouraged crumbs." Suddenly changing his
light tone, he raised his glass of lemonade and said with solemn
intensity: "Here's to Tom Gray; a speedy and safe return. I can't help
feeling that it will be so."

"Thank you, Hippy." The faint color in Grace's cheeks deepened. A gleam
of new hope kindled