"Yes, of course! How thick I am!" returned the girl, quickly.
Soon they were once more on the way. They had a long hill to ascend, the road winding in and out among the trees and around the rocks. It was a hard pull, and several times they had to change to second gear and even to low.
"O my, what a beautiful view!" cried Belle, when the top of the hill was gained. And in her excitement she stood straight up in the automobile to look around her.
"It certainly is beautiful," returned Jessie. "One can see for miles and miles in every direction!"
"Oh, Mrs. Basswood, don't you think this would be a lovely place to have lunch?" cried Laura.
At the mention of lunch, Luke, Shadow, and Phil brought out their watches simultaneously.
"Seventeen minutes of twelve," announced the shipowner's son.
"I've got quarter of," cried Luke.
"You must both be off," put in Shadow. "I'm only fourteen minutes and a half of twelve," he announced, gravely. "Have we got to wait till twelve o'clock?" he continued, anxiously.
"I guess it'll be twelve o'clock before we get anything to eat," answered Mrs. Basswood, with a smile. "I think this would be just an ideal spot to rest."