"If you stay, I will," said Nan decidedly.
"No, you mustn't," returned Ran.
"Why not?"
"I don't want you," he answered bluntly.
"Oh, well then," said Nan, somewhat offended, "of course, I'll not stay, but I must say you're polite."
Ran turned away. He had gained his point at the risk of being rude, but that was of little moment just then. He could make his apologies later. And so the three girls drove off with Ashby as attendant and left Randolph to keep a lonely watch on the mountain.
Aunt Sarah was on the lookout for the nutting party. "Where are the others?" was her first question.
Nan explained. "Ran thought we'd better come on," she said. "He's waiting for Phil and Mary Lee. Ashby is going back for them."
"Gracious!" exclaimed Aunt Sarah and sought out Ashby.
When she returned Nan was quick to read the anxiety in her face. "You don't think they could really be lost," she said in alarm.