With such a pressing invitation as this, they could not do otherwise than graciously accept, and, satisfied at last, Mrs. Carter bade them good-by.
There was no opportunity to discuss this unexpected visit, for no sooner had this caller departed than others began to arrive. Louise dashed into the room on her return from breakfasting with Ted in the dining-room, and before Dot and Linda could repeat the invitation to her, news came that the yachting party had arrived.
The reunion of the two girls with their fathers was touching to see. For some minutes they clung to one another in the lobby of the hotel, regardless of the strangers about. Ralph Clavering and Jim Valier stood in the background, unnoticed.
About three o'clock that afternoon Linda suddenly remembered her promise to Mrs. Carter in regard to flying over the Okefenokee Swamp in search of Jackson, and she suggested to her father that they go to the airport immediately.
Mr. Carlton shook his head decidedly.
"No, daughter," he said. "You will never have my consent again to fly within fifty miles of that dismal swamp!"
"But we must be within fifty miles of it now," returned Linda. "Shall we leave Jacksonville?"
"Now, Linda! You know what I mean."
"But how shall I tell Mrs. Carter? I promised, you know."