And as the boys had to pack their suitcases and get their fishing tackle and other sporting material together they stayed chatting only for a little while on Bob’s porch that evening and separated early.
The next morning dawned gloriously and gave promise of a perfect day. The doctor was on hand at about ten o’clock, and the boys bundled into the car, full of the highest spirits and looking forward to a summer of unalloyed fun and sport.
The doctor himself drove, and the car, under his skilful handling, made rapid time along the beautiful roads. The boys joked and laughed and sang and enjoyed themselves to the full. They were like so many frisky colts let out to pasture.
As they passed through the little town of Lisburn they saw a young girl watering the flowers in the garden of one of the houses. Bob’s keen eye detected and recognized her at once.
“It’s Miss Berwick!” he cried. “Doctor, would you mind stopping here a minute?”
“Certainly I’ll stop,” replied the doctor, with a smile, and slowed down immediately. “Take all the time you want.”
Bob and Joe jumped out and ran to the gate. The girl looked at them for a moment and then with a glad cry came hurrying toward them.
“How glad I am to see you,” she cried, extending both hands in welcome. “Come into the house.”
“Thank you,” answered Bob. “We’d like to, but we’re with a party and can stay only a minute. But we had to stop to say how do you do and ask you how everything was going with you.”
“Couldn’t be better,” she answered, with a smile. “I’ve got my health back completely. And I have my house, and my mind’s at rest, thanks to you two boys. I’ll never forget what you did for me in rescuing me from that wrecked auto and then later in getting that mortgage back from the man who was trying to cheat me.”