The two girls walked a quarter of a mile up the private road that wound along beside the river, past the Hunters’ grounds, on to the pleasant five-room cottage that belonged to the Partridges. As there were no young people in this family, Mary Louise did not know them so well, but she felt sure that they would like the idea of having their meals on this side of the river.
Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, and the two sisters who spent the summer with them, were just coming across the river in Mr. Frazier’s launch when the girls reached the scene. The hotelkeeper himself was running the motorboat.
Mary Louise smiled at them and waited until the launch had puffed off before she explained her plan.
Mrs. Partridge was delighted.
“Of course we’ll come—for our dinners,” she agreed immediately. “My husband is going back to the city, except for week-ends, and we three women would just as soon have a bite of lunch at home. But I hate this bothering with a boat every night for dinner, although Mr. Frazier has been most kind.”
“Then we can count on you three?” asked Mary Louise in delight.
“Yes—and Mr. Partridge too on Saturdays and Sundays,” added the woman.
Mary Louise marked down the names, and the two girls continued on their way, pleased with their success.
“That’s three more paying guests,” she said, “totaling twelve!”
“It’s thrilling!” exclaimed Mabel.