Their hostess listened to the girl’s entreaties with a pleasant sensation of anticipation; after all, why should she not go? It would afford her a new interest in life at a time when she sadly needed one after the disgrace of her nephews’ conduct. Moreover, such a trip would show the young men that she meant what she said; that before she would take them back they must prove themselves sincere in a genuine reform.
“I believe that I will go,” she announced; “at least, if Mrs. Hart will accompany me.”
“Yes, I’d like to,” answered the other; “as long as we’re going by train. Besides, you girls ought to have a chaperone, since Mrs. Remington has gone home.”
“Oh, we mustn’t forget to wire her—and Alice!” cried Marjorie. “Now our party will be complete.”
While Jack went to the telegraph office to send off his messages to the others, Miss Vaughn made the arrangements with the railroad to secure a private car for the party on one of the best trains to the east. Mrs. Hart retired early, and Marjorie and Lily and John were left alone, to go over and over each detail of the perilous journey and the boys’ thrilling rescue.
Nor was their enjoyment limited to one evening; for, so congenial was the party and so luxurious the accommodations, that every minute of the trip seemed wonderful. John admitted at the end that it was the happiest occasion of his life, and Marjorie looked scarcely less pleased. Indeed, it seemed to more than one member of the party that their arrival at Lima came all too soon.
They found all of the original members already at Mae’s, and, while Mrs. Hart and Miss Vaughn were resting at their hotel, Marjorie and Lily, assisted by Jack and John, answered all the questions that were thrust at them in rapid succession.
The dinner was planned for seven o’clock; but Miss Vaughn and Mrs. Hart were late. When they finally came, the former blamed her delay upon an envelope of papers which she held in her hand.
“Your checks, girls!” she announced, smilingly. “With my apologies for my former mistrust.”
She began to hand them around to the scouts, evidently taking great delight in having them accepted so joyfully.