“I can’t explain it—but—well—they just look deceitful. And I don’t like to see Daisy and Florence so interested.”
“Oh, well,” said the girl, lightly, “we probably won’t see them again. So I guess it’s no serious matter.”
“Then you don’t think that there is anything to this theory of Alice’s?”
“Absolutely nothing! Except that both the young men are rather fresh, and think it smart to make themselves conspicuous.”
“Just the same,” observed John, “I wish that they were not travelling your direction across the continent.”
But Marjorie only laughed at his fears, and before the discussion had a chance to go any further, the party adjourned to the porch. There the other groups were broken up, but Daisy and Florence, with the two young strangers, sought a corner by themselves, and, much to Marjorie’s dismay, remained there until the music started. Even then, they did not dance much with the other boys; by the time the evening was over, Marjorie had begun to take John’s words seriously.
It was not, however, until Sunday night that she was honestly worried. Then she overheard Daisy come to Mrs. Remington with the request that they be allowed to stay in Lima another day.
“Without us?” asked the older woman, in astonishment.
“Yes—and go on later with the little car. Mae will be delighted to put us up another night.”
“Have you any special reason?” inquired Mrs. Remington.