“What do you mean?” asked Marjorie, in a puzzled tone.
“Just that! I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, if you possibly can, you ought to stay for the Yellowstone trip. We’re leaving tomorrow for a nine-day trip, and from what I understand, it is to be the experience of a life-time.”
“But you know I can’t ride, and wouldn’t dare start off for such a long trip without any experience!” he protested.
“Oh, it isn’t riding. We go in big cars. But don’t let me persuade you if—if you are so anxious to get back to Cape May!”
John flushed at the taunt; for he knew now that Jack had told her about the dance. He wished he might explain everything—especially his last conversation with Dorothy Snyder before he left for the West. But this was neither the time nor the place for that. Instead, he took up Marjorie’s challenge.
“Just to show you how wild I am to get back East, I’ll stay here as long as you say—till you girls go back, if you are willing! Now what do you think of that?”
Marjorie regarded him coolly. He was saying these words for effect, she surmised.
“You know I wouldn’t let you, for the sake of your job!”
“Oh, my job’s all right; don’t you worry about that. What do you say?”