"We passed a house about a mile back," said Patty, "couldn't we walk back to that?"
"I thought of that," said Bill, "but I didn't suppose you girls could walk it,—with those foolish step-ladder heels you're wearing. And white satin slippers aren't real good style for mud-wading. I could carry you, Miss Fairfield,—you're only a will-o'-the-wisp; but Daisy here is a heavyweight."
"Oh, no matter about me," said Daisy, spitefully; "just see that Miss
Fairfield is looked after!"
Big Bill Farnsworth looked at the speaker. "Daisy Dow," he said, quietly, "don't you get me any more riled than I am! If you do, I won't be pleasant!"
"But I can walk," put in Patty, anxious to prevent a quarrel. "I haven't on walking boots exactly, but I can flounder along somehow. And we MUST get to shelter! Help me along, Jack, and I'll try not to mind the thunder and lightning."
"Plucky little girl!" said Farnsworth, and Daisy scowled in the darkness.
"What time is it?" asked Patty, who was now thoroughly ready to face the situation.
"Just twelve o'clock," replied Jack, after several futile attempts to light a match and see his watch.
"Then we MUST try to get to that house," declared Patty. "I had no idea it was so late. Come, people, no matter what the result, we must TRY to reach shelter and civilisation."
"Right!" said Pennington. "It's the only thing to do. I remember the house. There was no light in it, though."