Part 3 (2/2)
”I have to ma.s.sage the muscles,” her friend insisted.
”Where did you get that bottle of liniment?” Nancy demanded. ”It smells awful.”
”This is a free ma.s.sage, so don't be so critical.”
Bess relieved George when the latter's arms grew weary of the task. There was no rest or relaxation for Nancy. She was pummeled and pounded by her well-meaning but inexperienced ma.s.seuses until she felt ready to cry from sheer exhaustion.
”Oh, girls, I can't stand any more,” she pleaded finally. ”Just let me crawl under the covers and go to sleep.”
”We're through now, anyway,” Bess declared as she helped Nancy roll over on her back again. ”In the morning you'll feel fine.”
”I hope so.”
Nancy closed her eyes. Before George could snap out the light, the telephone rang. Bess answered the call.
”It's for you, Nancy. Long distance.”
”I wonder who it can be. I hope nothing is wrong at home,” Nancy said anxiously as she painfully pulled herself to a sitting position and took the phone.
A familiar voice at the other end of the line said cheerily, ”h.e.l.lo. Nancy? This is Ned. Can you hear me?”
”Perfectly. Hi!”
”Your voice doesn't sound natural,” Ned Nickerson remarked. ”I guess I shouldn't have bothered you so late at night. But I thought maybe you weren't having a very exciting time and would like to hear from an old friend, meaning me.”
”Oh, Ned, I love hearing from you, but you're entirely wrong about there being no excitement at Deer Mountain.”
She told him about the haunted bridge, her unpleasant experience with Martin Bartescue, and finally of the accident.
”I'd like to give that guy a going over he wouldn't forget!” Ned replied angrily.
”You can't very well do it by long distance.” Nancy laughed.
”No, but you may be seeing me sooner than you expect. I thought if you were planning to stay at the hotel for several days I might drive up with a couple of buddies.”
”Meaning Burt and Dave?” Nancy asked.
”Yes.”
”Terrific, Ned! And before you come will you do me a special favor? Would you look in the Social Register and see if Martin Bartescue is listed?”
”Say, I hope you're not getting interested in that-”
”Now don't be alarmed, Ned,” Nancy interrupted. After explaining the situation, she hung up and told Bess and George the good news.
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