Cecily gathered some and pinned them on hers , but they did not become her . I thought how witching the Story Girl 's brown curls would have looked twined with those brilliant clusters . Perhaps Cecily was thinking of it , too , for she presently said , `` Bev , do n't you think the Story Girl is changing somehow ? '' `` There are times -- just times -- when she seems to belong more among the grown-ups than among us , '' I said , reluctantly , `` especially when she puts on her bridesmaid dress . '' `` Well , she 's the oldest of us , and when you come to think of it , she 's fifteen , -- that 's almost grown-up , '' sighed Cecily . Then she added , with sudden vehemence , `` I hate the thought of any of us growing up . Felicity says she just longs to be grown-up , but I do n't , not a bit . I wish I could just stay a little girl for ever -- and have you and Felix and all the others for playmates right along . I do n't know how it is -- but whenever I think of being grown-up I seem to feel tired . '' Something about Cecily 's speech -- or the wistful look that had crept into her sweet brown eyes -- made me feel vaguely uncomfortable ; I was glad that we were at the end of our journey , with Mr. Campbell 's big house before us , and his dog sitting gravely at the veranda steps . `` Oh , dear , '' said Cecily , with a shiver , `` I 'd been hoping that dog would n't be around . '' `` He never bites , '' I assured her . `` Perhaps he does n't , but he always looks as if he was going to , '' rejoined Cecily . The dog continued to look , and , as we edged gingerly past him and up the veranda steps , he turned his head and kept on looking . What with Mr. Campbell before us and the dog behind , Cecily was trembling with nervousness ; but perhaps it was as well that the dour brute was there , else I verily believe she would have turned and fled shamelessly when we heard steps in the hall . It was Mr. Campbell 's housekeeper who came to the door , however ; she ushered us pleasantly into the sitting-room where Mr. Campbell was reading . He laid down his book with a slight frown and said nothing at all in response to our timid `` good afternoon . '' But after we had sat for a few minutes in wretched silence , wishing ourselves a thousand miles away , he said , with a chuckle , `` Well , is it the school library again ? '' Cecily had remarked as we were coming that what she dreaded most of all was introducing the subject ; but Mr. Campbell had given her a splendid opening , and she plunged wildly in at once , rattling her explanation off nervously with trembling voice and flushed cheeks . `` No , it 's our Mission Band autograph quilt , Mr. Campbell .
There are XXXXX be as many squares in it as there are members in the Band .
about after as at before of on to up with