Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/81



The next day was Saturday; and as the shop closed at one, June prepared to keep her promise of accompanying William to his "treasure house." Strategy was needed, all the same. After she had washed up, she put on her "going out" dress. But when she came downstairs in it, Uncle Si, who took a most unwelcome interest in all her movements, inquired what was in the wind.

"I'm going to look at a hat," was the answer, bland and cool.

"Going to look at a hat!" To the mind of Uncle Si it was an unheard-of proceeding. "Next thing you'll be wanting to buy a hat."

June confessed that it might be so.

"You've got one already, haven't you? Besides, the shops won't be open."

The good shops might not be open, June allowed. But she was not seeking a good hat. The article to which her fancy turned was for every-day use; yet when all was said it was a mere blind. She did not really intend to buy a hat, but she certainly meant if possible, to throw dust in the eyes of the Old Crocodile. Had he been able to guess that she was going with William to the National Gallery he would have banned the expedition.

In order to stand well with her conscience and not