Mabel also sat down in the mud.
“We can’t get any wetter nor any dirtier,” said Shirley, “so we may as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible.”
“How long do you suppose we shall have to stay here?”
“I haven’t any idea. Perhaps all night.”
“All night?”
“Yes. Of course, it is possible that Dad will have telephoned to town inquiring about us. If he called up the stable and learns that we have started, he may come looking for us. That’s the only thing that will save us an all-night stay in the rain.”
“But how would he get across the creek?”
“If Dad starts looking for me,” said Shirley, “it will take more than this to stop him.”
The two girls became silent, and huddled as close together as they could, for in their wet garments they were chilled to the bone, and the air was very cool, in spite of the season.
How long they sat there they did not know, but they jumped at the sound of a horse’s hoofs on the opposite side of the stream.