“Where are you going? Harrisburg?”
“No. Cooper’s woods. Want to come along, Jane?”
The other girl shook her head.
“I don’t believe so. I have a tennis date with Norman, and Hope Dorsey is rounding up the crowd to drive over to a country fair tonight. She’ll be furious if you don’t go—and so will Max. Kenneth was expecting we’d bring Elsie Grant along.”
“I only wish we could!” sighed Mary Louise. “But maybe we shall be able to. Maybe we’ll find her and bring her back home in time for supper.”
“And maybe not,” remarked Jane.
“I’ve got to be off now,” concluded the other, giving her chum a hasty kiss. “Wish me good luck!”
“You know I do!” was the reply.
Mary Louise ran into the house and found her father all ready to start. He had made up a pack for each of them to carry; his own, the heavier, included a small tent for use if they were obliged to sleep in the woods. The food and equipment were sufficient but not overabundant, for Mr. Gay was a good camper and knew just what was necessary and what could be left at home.
“Get into your knickers, Mary Lou,” he advised. “And bring a sweater along.”