WARD PORTON AGAIN
A quarter of an hour later the girls had finished their shopping and rejoined the boys. Then it was decided that the party should go on to Clayton, six miles farther. They were told that the road was in excellent condition, and this proved to be a fact, so that the sleighing was thoroughly enjoyed.
It was growing dark when they drove down the main street of Clayton, and, although a bit early, all agreed to Dave’s suggestion that they get dinner at the leading restaurant––a place at which they had stopped a number of times and which they knew to be first-class.
“What a pity Roger couldn’t come along,” said Jessie to Dave just before sitting down to the sumptuous meal which the boys had ordered. “I know he would have enjoyed this very much.”
“No doubt of it, Jessie,” answered Dave, who well knew what a fondness for his sister the senator’s son possessed. “But, as you know, Roger had to go home on a business matter for his father. Senator Morr is very busy in Washington these 33 days, so Roger has to take care of quite a few matters at home.”
“Isn’t it queer that he doesn’t want to follow in the footsteps of his father and take up politics?” went on the girl.
“Senator Morr didn’t want him to do it. And, besides, Roger has no taste that way. He loves civil engineering just as much as I do.”
“It’s a wonder you and he didn’t persuade Phil Lawrence to take it up, too, Dave.”
“Oh, Phil couldn’t do that. You know his father’s shipping interests are very large, and Mr. Lawrence wants Phil to take hold with him––and Phil likes that sort of thing. He is planning right now to take several trips on his father’s ships this summer.”
“When does that examination of yours come off, Dave?”