Part 10 (1/2)
”Not until just before he goes away. The less medicine he takes the better, though I'll leave a simple bromide mixture for those shrieking nerves of his--they will cry out once in a while--the ends are all bare--they need padding with new thoughts. Get him away as soon as you can.”
It was a new problem for the Kimball family to solve, but they were equal to it. Fortunately, money matters did not stand in the road, and since Jack was not to keep up his studies, and since Cora had ”finished,” there were no ties of location to hinder.
”I guess we'll all have to go away,” sighed Mrs. Kimball. ”I had rather counted on a quiet winter in Chelton, but of course now we can't have it.”
”Perhaps it will be all for the best,” suggested Cora. ”If Bess and Belle are going away, I won't have any fun here alone.”
A little silence followed this remark. The Robinson twins, who had just come back for an evening call, sat looking at each other.
Between them they seemed to hide some secret.
”You tell her, Bess,” suggested Belle.
”You, you, dear!”
”Is there anything?” asked Cora, smiling at her chums.
”Oh, dear, it's the best thing in the world--if you'll consent to it!” burst out Bess. ”Listen! Papa and mamma want you to come with us, Cora--to the West Indies. They'd love to have you and your mother.”
”We couldn't leave Jack!” said Cora, softly.
”Bring him along!” invited Belle. ”It would be just the thing for him--wouldn't it, Dr. Blake?”
”The West Indies? Yes, I should say there couldn't be a better place.”
”Oh!” gasped Cora.
”Do say yes, Mrs. Kimball!” pleaded Belle.
”What about poor little Inez?” questioned Cora. ”Did you tell your father, Bess?”
”Yes, and he seems to think there may be something in it. He is going to make inquiries. Oh, but let's settle this first. Will you come with us, Mrs. Kimball--Cora? And bring Jack! Oh, it would be just perfect to have you with us.”
”Could we go, Mother?” Cora pleaded.
”Why, it is all so sudden--and yet there is no good reason why we shouldn't.”
”Good!” cried Walter. ”I'm coming, too! I never could leave old Jack! Ho, for the West Indies!”
CHAPTER VIII
THE DREAM OF INEZ
”Oh, Walter, are you really going?”
”Do you mean it?”
”Are you joking?”