PATTY’S INGENUITY
Philip turned the car around, and, in a few moments, they were swiftly speeding toward home.
“It’s awfully good of you,” he said, “to give me this little bit of your time all to myself.”
“I don’t think I gave it,” observed Patty, smiling; “I think you took it when I wasn’t looking.”
“Yes, and when no one else was looking, or I mightn’t have succeeded so well. But it’s been a gorgeous ride, and now I’m going to take you right back to home and mother. Do you suppose those people who went to see the ocean are still looking at it? If so, it will be fun to drive right down to them.”
“Oh, don’t try it! Camilla cuts up dreadfully if she gets stuck in the sand. It’s the one thing she won’t stand!”
“All right, we’ll go right, straight, bang home, then. Whew! We have come farther than I thought! We can’t see the lights of Spring Beach yet.”
“No; but I know where we are. It’s about three miles to Spring Beach. Put on a good speed, and we’ll soon do it. There’s not a thing in the road, and I’ll trust your fast driving.”
“All right, my lady; here goes!” Van Reypen flung in the highest speed and they fairly flew. And then, quite suddenly and without any jar or jolt, or warning of any kind, they found themselves sitting quite still. Camilla had stopped of her own accord, and seemed absolutely disinclined to proceed. There was no noise and no fuss, the car simply stood motionless.
“What did you stop for?” asked Patty, turning an enquiring face toward Van Reypen.