"Then we'll have to stay here all night," said May.
"Oh, rubbish!" cried Doris. "Let us give one more good call; somebody's sure to come."
The combined efforts of three pairs of lungs raised a lusty shout, but beyond a slight echo there was no response.
"It's getting so dark. It must be almost tea-time, I'm sure," groaned Ella.
"They'll miss us at tea, I expect," said Doris.
"Yes, but they won't know where to look for us. They'll hunt in every place except the right one. No one would ever dream we were on the roof," said May dismally.
"Call again," said Ella, who was waxing tearful.
"Cuckoo!" tried May once more, with a tinge of despair in her voice.
This time Patty judged it discreet to come to the rescue, and emerging quietly from the shade of the rhododendron on the far side, she strolled up in a casual manner.
"Why, what are you three doing there?" she exclaimed, with well-feigned surprise.