“Of course she would. You wouldn’t have to work any more than I do—just help Mother a little. But I promised your aunt I’d live at her place and sleep in her bed, and I’m going to stay. There’s some explanation for all this superstition about Dark Cedars, and I mean to find it out!”
“Stop whispering secrets!” commanded Max Miller, separating the two girls forcibly. “Of course, Ken and I know you’re talking about us, and what you’re saying is probably complimentary.”
Elsie laughed and followed Mary Louise into the car. The group drove to Hope Dorsey’s, as she had suggested, and ate the rest of the picnic food for their supper. Another round of fun followed, and it was after ten when the party finally broke up.
Dropping Kenneth Dormer at his own home, Max ran the three girls back to Dark Cedars.
“Don’t you think I better go into the house and light the lamps for you?” he inquired. “It looks so spooky in there.”
“Oh, we have Silky for protection,” returned Mary Louise lightly. “Thank you just the same, Max.”
The young man waited, however, until he saw the girls unlock the front door and light the lamp in the hall.
“Everything’s O.K.!” shouted Mary Louise. “We’ll be asleep inside of ten minutes.”
Max waved back again and started his engine. Elsie lighted two more lamps which Hannah had left in readiness for the girls, and all together, with Silky at their heels, they mounted the creaking staircase.
“You can’t sleep upstairs, Silky!” said Mary Louise to her dog. “Miss Grant would never allow that. Go down to your box in the cellar.”