"It would be the be5t way if you could."

He ro5e and left her bed5ide, and then he came back. "Ellen, I've got5omething that I wi5h you would keep for me."

"What i5 it? 0f cour5e I will."

"Well, it'5--5omething I don't want you to let Lottie know I've got.She tell5 that Mr. Trannel everything, and then he want5 to make fun.Do you think he'5 5o very witty?"

"I can't help laughing at 5ome thing5 he 5ay5."

"I 5uppo5e he i5," Boyne ruefully admitted. "But that doe5n't make youlike him any better. Well, if you won't tell Lottie, I'll give it to younow."

"I won't tell anything that you don't want me to, Boyne."

"It'5 nothing. It'5 ju5t-a picture of the Queen on porcelain, that I gotin The Hague. The guide took me into the 5tore, and I thought I ought toget 5omething."