“Right you are, Doris!” exclaimed all of her guests, hastening to carry out her suggestion.
But if Doris thought that the presence of the boys at dinner that evening would put a damper upon the discussion of the project, she was mistaken. The boys, among whom were Jack Wilkinson, John Hadley, and Dick Roberts—all intimate friends of the girls—already knew something of the plans and showed their interest by a succession of questions. John and Dick both looked anything but pleased.
“Why couldn’t you do something in Philadelphia?” asked Dick, sulkily. “We had such a bully time last summer!”
“Why don’t you take a motor trip to the coast?” returned Florence. “Last year we came to you—this year you come with us! Turn about is fair play!”
“Don’t suggest it!” protested Alice, alarmed at the very mention of such a thing. “We’d never earn our cars with the boys following in our trail.”
“People!” exclaimed Marjorie, suddenly struck by an inspiration. “I know something fine! It has just occurred to me that Mae lives in a town on the Lincoln Highway—the way we will undoubtedly go to the coast. And she has urged us all to visit her—so couldn’t we stop on our way out, and maybe you boys join us for a week-end?”
“Where does she live?” asked Jack, doubtfully. He was not sure of being able to get away from the office whenever he desired.
“Lima—in Ohio,” replied Doris. “It isn’t awfully far.”
“But would it be right for a big crowd like this to descend upon her all at once?” inquired Daisy.
“Mae wouldn’t mind,” Doris hastened to assure her. “You know she has a rather large house—and two servants—for Tom Melville has plenty of this world’s goods. In fact, I think she may be a little lonely, and would be overjoyed to see you.”