"listen," whispered tessie, "i've got a secret to tell you; snuggle up so nobody'll hear!"

tottie squeezed up close to her little sister, and teddy shoved himself along the piazza seat until all three were packed as tight as little sardines.

"what is it?" asked tottie.

"hurry up and tell," whispered teddy, hugging tessie's arm, while tottie squeezed her hand with her little fat fingers.

"s-s-sh!" replied tessie, "s-s-sh!"

"tessie!" called mother's voice, "tessie, come here, i want you to run down to the grocer."

"oh, dear!" sighed the three tiny t's.

tessie jumped up quickly and ran inside the house, closely followed by tottie and teddy.

"you can wear your roller skates," said mother, "and teddy can put on his and go with you, if he wishes."

in a few minutes the skates were strapped on each impatient little foot, and mother's darling messengers were gliding down the front walk.

"be very careful not to break the eggs," said mother, as she stood in the doorway watching them go out of the gate. "hold the bag tight and don't go fast on the way home."