Part 19 (1/2)

”Oh, easy there, now, sis,” and Cora thought she had never before appreciated the value of a real brother. ”I can't answer everything at once, although I can come pretty near it. First, I am here--at home.

Next, Clip is here--at our home, and third, the other party--I won't mention names--is here also.”

”All at our house?” exclaimed Cora.

And the answer came: ”Exactly that. But you mustn't say a word to any one. You know, there has been a sort of rumpus. Do you want to speak with C.? She is here.”

”h.e.l.lo, Cora,” came Cecilia's voice. ”How are you? Not getting on with your trip very fast, I guess.”

”Oh, Clip!” said Cora. ”I cannot understand it--”

”You are not supposed to,” replied the other. ”We are all right, you are all right, and what more do you ask?”

”How is Paul?”

”Well, he did have quite a time, but is improving. Say, Cora,” and the voice was subdued, ”don't call us up until you hear from me. I can't explain now. But where shall I write--say in two days' time?”

”Two days!” repeated Cora. ”Do you expect me to exist that long and not know--”

”I am afraid you will have to. We are being watched”--this was barely breathed--”and a break would spoil it all. Surely you can trust me.”

The girls were coming back-were actually on the porch. Cora was obliged to say a few disconnected words, and then she hung up the receiver.

CHAPTER XVII

THE ROAD TO BREAKWATER

”What a delightful morning!” exclaimed Maud. ”The wait was certainly worth while. I do believe there is something inspiring about the morning air.”

”Yes,” rejoined Daisy, throwing in the second speed, ”it always makes me feel like a human rain-barrel. I want to go out in a great, big field, and sit down in a lump. Then I want to throw back my head and open my mouth very wide. That is my idea of drinking in the fresh morning air.”

”Well, never mind the dewy morning business,” called Cora. ”Just get your machines well under way. You know, we must make twenty-five miles by noon.”

Cora was, as usual, in the lead. Daisy and Maud came next, then Bess and Belle lined up the rear, as Cora thought it best that the two big machines should lead and trail.

Cora tried her best to be cheerful. She had definite ideas about a friend's duty to a friend, and no one could say she failed in that duty. Why should she think of Jack and Clip and Wren when she was captain of the Motor Girls' Club, and they expected a good time on their initial run?

”Oh, I am so glad everything happened!” exclaimed Tillie, who was in the Whirlwind; ”for if everything did not happen we never could have come along.”

”And we never could have had all our camping things,” put in Gertrude.

”I am just dying to get out on the gra.s.s and light up under the kettles. That was a very bright idea of Adele's to fetch along part of the tea-house outfit.”

”Won't it be jolly to build miniature caves to keep the wind from the lamp?” suggested Cora. ”I tell you, after all, the motor girls were poor housekeepers--we had to take lessons from our business friends.”

This pleased Tillie immensely. She was the sort of girl who is glad to prove a theory, and in keeping the tea-house she had proven that girls--mere girls--are not always sawdust dolls.

Daisy was speeding up her machine to speak with Cora.

”There's Cedar Grove over there!” she shouted; ”and Aunt May's is only four miles from the turn in the road.”