“Mr. Willing, Shirley and I want to have a talk with you,” was the reply.
“H-mm-m,” muttered the colonel, “must be something you two want. Have you succeeded in twisting Willing around your fingers?”
“The idea, Dad!” exclaimed Mabel. “You know neither Shirley nor I would think of trying to do a thing like that.”
Colonel Ashton grinned.
“Wouldn’t you?” he asked dryly. “I’m not so sure of that.”
Father and daughter made their way to the front porch, where Shirley and her father were deep in conversation. Colonel Ashton dropped into a chair, and Mabel sat down at his feet.
“Ashton,” said Mr. Willing, “these girls say they want to go some place. What do you think about it?”
Mr. Ashton was silent for some moments. He did not seem to be surprised.
“Where do they want to go?” he asked at length.
“We don’t know, Dad,” said Mabel. “We just want to take a trip.”