"Of course," Walter answered. "But, to tell the truth, I'm not a bit eager to go. I'd rather stay right here."
They chatted a few minutes longer, and then Walter left them and the girls resumed their walk toward the school.
"Why do you suppose Walter would rather stay here than go to Palm Beach?" Laura asked innocently of no one in particular.
"That isn't hard to guess," replied Bess, with a mischievous glance at Nan. "What do you think about it, Nan?"
"I haven't any opinion," answered Nan demurely. "What I do know, though, is that we'll have to hurry if we get back to the school before dark."
That night had been set for the "spread," and the girls went early to their rooms to get their lessons for the next day out of the way. A most unusual and unnatural silence reigned in Nan's room for nearly two hours. It was broken by a book snapping shut as Bess sprang to her feet, exclaiming with satisfaction:
"There, that's done! And it's the last, thank fortune."
"Same here," answered Nan happily, as she gathered books and paper together and tossed them into a far corner of the room.
"Why, Nan!" exclaimed Bess in surprise, glancing at the clock, "where do you suppose the girls are? They were to be on hand at ten o'clock, and it's now five minutes after."