The boys behind the wind-break, and the girls crouching in the tonneau, saw little of the landscape through which the car rushed.
They rolled into Hambleton without mishap, and before noon. A word from Lyddy put Master Tom on the right track of Aunt Jane’s house, for he had been in the town before.
“We’re here quicker than we could have had a telegram delivered,” declared Harris, as he helped the girls out of the car. “I’m going in with you, Miss Lyddy–if you don’t mind?”
“Why, of course you shall come!” returned Lyddy, really allowing her gratitude to “spill over” for the moment.
“Me–oh, my!” whispered ’Phemie, walking demurely behind them. “The end of the world has now came. Lyd is showing that poor young man some favor.”
But ’Phemie, as well as the other two, grew serious when the girl who opened the door told them Mrs. Hammond had company in the parlor.
“Two gentlemen, Miss–on business,” said the maid.
Just then they heard Professor Spink’s booming voice.
“Oh, oh! he’s here ahead of us!” cried ’Phemie, and she flung open the door and ran into the room.