In the afternoon it happened that there was no one to go for the mail except Artie. Fred and Ward had gone to tell Larry to meet them at half past eight in the morning with his motor boat and the three girls were busy wrapping sandwiches.
Artie liked to go to the post-office, especially when, as in this instance, he had money for an ice-cream soda to cool the end of the long walk.
"I'll get my soda first," decided Artie, when he reached the town.
As luck would have it, two people were ahead of him at the soda fountain in the drug store. Carrie Pepper and Mattie Helms were discussing the merits of vanilla or chocolate ice-cream when in marched Artie and climbed up on one of the high stools before he recognized them.
"Hello, Artie!" Carrie greeted him, and Artie was so afraid that she would begin and ask him questions that he said "Hello" as briefly as possible and ordered his soda.
Carrie wanted to know how "all the folks were," and Artie answered her as though he had not a minute to spare.
But he was no match for Carrie Pepper, who was very observant. She guessed at once, from Artie's manner, that he was trying to conceal something.
"You haven't heard from Ella Mooney, have you?" she asked abruptly.
Artie shook his head.
"If Polly is going to be at home to-morrow, tell her Mattie and I will come over," Carrie said placidly.