“Of course we needn’t wait, that is if the girls can go; some of them can I know. Miss Dodge is away, but Miss Chesney is here. Tell me how you happened to think of our going on Tuesday.”
“I saw Dawson this morning; he drove down with Tim Clover, and said he was coming down again with the boat on Monday, expects to start back on Tuesday, and says he can take you all along if you want to go. You’d better hustle around and get your girls together so as to let me know by Monday.”
“I’ll do it. Are you going up with us, Cousin Ned?”
“Afraid I can’t this time, but you’ll be all right with Unc’ Aaron and Mrs. Clover to look after you.”
“Of course we shall. I’ll go to see Miss Chesney at once and then we’ll get hold of the girls. I’m so excited I can hardly talk.”
“Then don’t. Good-bye.” And Joanne found herself cut off.
It was a busy afternoon for her. First came the consultation with Miss Chesney who expressed herself as not only willing but eager to head the expedition, if, by chance, Miss Dodge had not returned.
“She has gone no farther than Baltimore,” said Miss Chesney. “It will be easy to get her on the ’phone, and, unless she has made engagements she cannot break or cancel in some way, it is my opinion that she will come back.”
“But you’ll go anyhow, won’t you?” inquired Joanne who was a little speck fonder of her lieutenant than of her captain.
“Oh, my yes; wouldn’t miss it for the world.”