I 'll remember better . '' `` It 's all Peter 's fault , '' said Felicity . `` I do think he might have had more sense than to take a clock striking for a bell ringing . '' `` I never heard that kind of a strike before , '' protested Peter . `` It do n't sound a bit like other clocks . And the door was shut and the sound kind o ' muffled . It 's all very fine to say you would have known what it was , but I do n't believe you would . '' `` I would n't have , '' said the Story Girl honestly . `` I thought it WAS a bell when I heard it , and the door open , too . Let us be fair , Felicity . '' `` I 'm dreadful tired , '' sighed Cecily . We were all `` dreadful tired , '' for this was the third night of late hours and nerve racking strain . But it was over two hours since we had eaten the cookies , and Felicity suggested that a saucerful apiece of raspberries and cream would not be hard to take . It was not , for any one but Cecily , who could n't swallow a mouthful . `` I 'm glad father and mother will be back to-morrow night , '' she said . `` It 's too exciting when they 're away . That 's my opinion . '' CHAPTER XVII . THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING Felicity was cumbered with many cares the next morning . For one thing , the whole house must be put in apple pie order ; and for another , an elaborate supper must be prepared for the expected return of the travellers that night .
Felicity devoted her whole attention XXXXX this , and left the secondary preparation of the regular meals to Cecily and the Story Girl .
Felicity XVII for in like night of raspberries to with