Sara Ray, to whom faithful Cecily had sent word, was also on hand. Felicity did not approve of this.
"Sara Ray isn't any relation to our family," she scolded to Cecily, "and so she has no right to be present."
"She's a particular friend of mine," said Cecily with dignity. "We have her in everything, and it would hurt her feelings dreadfully to be left out of this. Peter is no relation either, but he is going to be here when we open it, so why shouldn't Sara?"
"Peter ain't a member of the family yet, but maybe he will be some day. Hey, Felicity?" said Dan.
"You're awful smart, aren't you, Dan King?" said Felicity, reddening. "Perhaps you'd like to send for Kitty Marr, too—though she does laugh at your big mouth."
"It seems as if ten o'clock would never come," sighed the Story Girl. "The work is all done, and Aunt Olivia and Uncle Roger are here, and the chest might just as well be opened right away."
"Mother said ten o'clock and she'll stick to it," said Felicity crossly. "It's only nine now."
"Let us put the clock on half an hour," said the Story Girl. "The clock in the hall isn't going, so no one will know the difference."
We all looked at each other.
"I wouldn't dare," said Felicity irresolutely.
"Oh, if that's all, I'll do it," said the Story Girl.
When ten o'clock struck Aunt Janet came into the kitchen, remarking innocently that it hadn't seemed
357
