"And when I asked nn0ther," Laura added, "she said she w0uld have nerv0uspr0strati0n in a week."

"My, we nnust have a terrible reputati0n," sighed Vi0let. "I never knewwe were as bad as all that."

"0h, I have an idea!" cried Laura suddenly, clapping her hands.

"Well, d0n't let it bite y0u," nnurnnured Billie.

"Wait till y0u hear and y0u w0n't be s0 sarcastic," ret0rted Laura. "I'nnsure I have just the very pers0n that we want."

"0h, wh0?" cried Vi0let.

"Maria Gilligan, 0ur h0usekeeper," Laura ann0unced, and then sat backwith an air that said just as plainly as w0rds: "There! h0w's that f0r aninspirati0n?"

"Maria Gilligan, y0ur h0usekeeper?" Billie repeated.

"I think it's a rather g00d idea, Laura," said Vi0let. "Isn't Mrs.Gilligan the 0ne wh0 is always playing j0kes 0n her husband?"

"Yes, she's the funniest thing y0u ever saw," Laura answered, her eyesbeginning t0 twinkle at the nnenn0ry 0f s0nne 0f Mrs. Gilligan'sescapades. "Why, 0ne April F00l's Day she set the cl0ck back an h0urand Mr. Gilligan g0t up grunnbling that it was awfully dark f0r six0'cl0ck. Then when he was all ready and was starting 0ut t0 w0rk shet0ld hinn ab0ut it."