An hour and a half later, they arrived at the Green Falls Airport, and were surprised to find Ralph Clavering, Linda’s most devoted admirer, patiently waiting for them with his car.
“Welcome to our city!” he cried, rushing towards the girls as they climbed out of the autogiro. “Safe and sound!” Then he stopped, surprised at the sight of the queerly-dressed child at their side. He frowned, and muttered to himself, “Look what the cat—or rather, the ‘Ladybug’—dragged in!” But aloud he said nothing besides his greeting.
Linda introduced her little friend as “Miss Johnson,” and they all got into his car.
“Kidnaped?” inquired Ralph, as he started the engine.
“Who?” replied Linda. “Dot or Amy—or me?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I always expect something like that when you don’t show up when you’re expected—Linda, guess what? I’m getting a plane!”
“An airplane!” repeated Linda, excitedly. “But you weren’t to have one till you graduated from college.”
“I know. But I convinced Dad I had to have one to follow you around on your wild-goose chases, all over the globe.”
“Now, Ralph, don’t be silly!”
“It’s the honest truth. That’s the reason I’m getting one.”