Here dinner was announced, but Joanne could hardly wait till it was over before she went to the ’phone to tell her glad tidings to Winnie and Claudia, meeting, of course, a most enthusiastic approval. “We’ll go up on Saturday,” she concluded by saying. “Pray Heaven it will be a good day.”
The boys were quite as ready as the girls for the trip, and set aside all anxiety when they said there would be no trouble in getting two automobiles. Mr. Fosdick would let Hal take his car, Jimmy Carey could get another.
“We must start early,” Hal said, “and we’d better take along something to eat. If you girls could bring sandwiches we’ll provide the rest.”
Fortunately the weather continued mild, and Mrs. Selden, who at first was rather dubious about the trip, at last saw no reason why Joanne should not go. So off they started in high feather. For some mysterious reason Chet Lacey and Pete Lowe did not join them.
“I don’t see what struck those boys,” said Hal as they started off.
“You know Pete said it would give a chance for more of the girls to go,” remarked Miss Chesney.
“Yes, but Pete could have squeezed in somewhere,” protested Hal. “He could have stood on the running board; we could have taken turns, for that matter.”
However, the absence of two of their comrades did not spoil their pleasure. The roads were good and they made excellent time, so they arrived quite early enough. As they turned off from the main road, they decided to leave the automobiles, as it was not very safe further on, so out they all clambered to walk the rest of the way. They had gone but a few steps when they heard the tinkle of a guitar.
“I do believe Pablo is there to help us,” cried Joanne. “Yes, I see Chico. That’s fine. Now we shall have no trouble getting the trees out of the woods, for Chico can drag them.”
Another turn disclosed not only Chico and Pablo, but Chet and Pete, Pete seated on a log and strumming away on his guitar, Chet swinging on a grape vine.