“Mercy no!” laughed the girl, lightly. “Jack, come crack some ice! And tell me, would you boys rather have sandwiches or fudge-layer cake?”
“Both!” replied her brother immediately, as he searched for the ice-pick.
When the refreshments were ready the little party adjourned to the porch to enjoy the delightful breeze that was blowing. Neither girl felt the least bit nervous about the approaching adventure, but as the minutes passed and everything grew quieter, Mrs. Hadley showed increasing concern.
“Marjorie,” she said, as she listened to a near-by clock toll out eleven strokes, “won’t you please let us all stay all night here? The boys wouldn’t mind finding a place on the floor down stairs, and we three could put the two cots together upstairs.”
Marjorie smiled at the suggestion; there would be no possible reason for her remaining there over night if she had the protection of the boys.
“No, thanks, Mrs. Hadley—though it’s awfully kind of you to offer. But the boys had their chance, and didn’t discover anything—now Ethel and I want to see what we can do.”
“Then let me stay!” urged the older woman, “Without the boys.”
“Oh, no, really!” replied both girls at once.
“It would be too uncomfortable,” added Ethel. “You know those army cots aren’t especially soft—”
“And if we had to share them, we’d never get any sleep!” put in Marjorie. “Please, please, don’t worry! We’ll be all right.”