“‘There, you can see for yourself, there ain’t no chip or
crack into it’”
The old woman was quite overcome at this kindness, and was endeavouring brokenly to express her thanks, when the bell on the shop door jangled loudly.
Patty being nearest to the calico curtain drew it aside, to find Roger in the little shop, looking very breathless and worried.
“Well, of all things,” he exclaimed. “You girls have given us a scare. We’ve hunted high and low through the whole of this metropolis. And if it hadn’t been that a little girl said she saw you come in here, I suppose we’d now be dragging the brook. Come along, quick, we’re all ready to start.”
“How could you get that belt mended so quickly?” asked Elise.
“Never mind that,” said Roger, “just come along.”
“Wait a minute,” said Patty, hastily gathering up her precious plates, while the old woman provided some newspaper wrapping.
Roger hurried the two girls back to the motor-car, saying as they went, “We’re not in any hurry to start, but Mother thinks you’re drowned, and I want to prove to her that she is mistaken.”