Part 31 (1/2)
”Well, I am glad you have found that out, little girl,” answered the brother, putting her comfortably down in the big armchair. ”What's the particular risk now? No more stolen girls?”
”Oh, that was your part,” she said, laughing. ”And, by the way, I hear you are quite a successful kidnaper.”
”Not so bad. But you should have seen the time we had to get Wren to the sanitarium. She didn't want to leave here, and had a mortal fear of a hospital. But how are you?” and he looked into her flushed face.
”I declare it seems moons since I've seen you.”
”And all the other planets since I saw you, Jack. I wonder will I ever have the courage to tell you all about it?”
”Wouldn't the courage just naturally come on my side? I would have to listen--”
”Oh, no. You don't have to--”
”There you go! Home ten minutes and picking a fight--”
”Jack Kimball!”
”Cora Kimball!”
Then they both laughed. It was jolly even to play at quarreling, and be real brother and sister again.
”Well, I have so little time, Jack, I must be serious. You know we have to get back to Breakwater to-night. We are to fetch you, and Ed and Walter and Clip--”
”Oh, you don't say! In a suit case or a la hamper? Ed is literally cut up about all the girls being out of town at once. He would fit in the s.h.i.+rt box, I fancy. But Wallie--he seems to have expanded. I doubt if you could manage him--”
”Oh, you ridiculous boy! Come on. Run after me while I get through the house. I must see dear old Margaret. How is she treating you?”
”First-rate, for Margaret. She only starved me out of the midnight rations twice--”
”You should not eat after ten, Jack. But come along. I must look over the place, and talk at the same time,” and with that intention Cora started on her tour of home inspection, while Jack made all the noise he possibly could make (which was not a little), running through the house after her.
Margaret, of course, knew what the tumult was about. She always declared that boys went to college to learn how to make unearthly noises.
Cora found little out of place. Margaret was an old and trusted servant, and, in the absence of her mistress, could always be depended upon to look after the ”children.”
”And now I must go and get the folks together,” remarked Cora. ”Can you come, Jack?”
”And help you pick up the humans? Well, guess I may as well, as I am to be in the collection. But what is it all about?”
In a girl's way Cora told of the plans for the auto fete, and of Dr.
Bennet wis.h.i.+ng to have the Chelton boys meet his student friends.
”First rate!” responded Jack, when Cora paused for breath. ”I rather fancy the idea of going after some of the girls. I cannot help but agree with Ed that all the girls should not leave town at once--you should take turns.”
”But how about Clip? The others imagine that she makes up for quite a number--with you and Walter.”
”There you go again, picking a fight,” and he laughed honestly. ”Now, Cora, Clip is just Clip, no more and not one whit less, but she has been so busy--oh, so tremendously busy!” He was getting into his motor togs, and Cora was already equipped for her ride about Chelton. ”Say, sis,” he added, ”did I tell you I have my suspicions about the loss of Wren's book? Did she describe to you the pair who last signed the contract?”
”No,” answered Cora, now fully interested.
”Well, she told me it was a fellow with bent shoulders, and a girl with red hair. Now, who does that fit?”