"We won't tell," said both the girls eagerly--"at least," added Blanche, "I won't, if you'll let me tell mother. She keeps all my secrets, and she's a very safe person."
"Very well; you can make amends by keeping what you know to yourselves. Tell your mother, by all means, Blanche."
The doctor's arm tightened round Marjory. She, poor child, he thought, has no mother in whom to confide. Marjory felt the pressure, and drew a little closer to her uncle. It was very comfortable sitting on his knee. She was tired and had been really frightened at the result of the adventure, and she leaned contentedly against him. In a moment his lips were on her hair and the protecting arm had drawn her very close.
"Dear little girl," he murmured--"my little Marjory."
Then for the first time Marjory began to cry.
"Oh dear," said the doctor, "more tears! What an old ogre I must be. Don't cry, Marjory. Cheer up."
"I'm not crying," asserted Marjory, the tears streaming down her cheeks; "I only feel nice."
"I think you each need a handkerchief," said the doctor mischievously; and he went to a bureau which stood in a corner of the room, and took out two handkerchiefs of a bright Oriental pattern. He presented one to each of the girls.
"Gaudy, but not neat," he misquoted. "Still, you must own that they are better than _nothing_," he said significantly. "Now, as you ladies have invited yourselves, I think we'd better have a little supper together--eh?"
So saying, the doctor went to a cupboard in the wall, and took out a small spirit-lamp, on which he proceeded to set a kettle to boil. He brought out cups and saucers of delicate china and an antique silver teapot.
Marjory watched these operations in amazement. Next came milk and sugar from the cupboard, and finally a tin box containing some of Lisbeth's famous shortbread.
"I always keep supplies here," he explained, "because playing ghost is hungry work. Now then, ladies, make yourselves at home. No, Marjory; this is _my_ party. I prefer to make the tea myself, and to pour it out. Let's play we're all dressed in our best, and let's enjoy ourselves as we couldn't if we were."
The girls laughed, their recent tears were forgotten, and they did justice to the doctor's impromptu banquet.