The idea of having the girls along interested the three Rovers greatly and they talked of practically nothing else during the trip on Cayuga Lake.
Ithaca reached, they bid farewell to the last of their school chums, who were to depart in various directions, and then made their way to one of the hotels for dinner.
"There they are, mamma!" they heard a well-known voice exclaim. "Oh,
how glad I am that we didn't miss them!" And the next moment Dora
Stanhope rushed up, followed by Nellie and Grace Laning and Mrs.
Stanhope.
"Well, of all things!" ejaculated Dick, as he shook hands warmly.
"Where did you drop from?"
"We were talking about you during the trip from Cedarville," said Tom, as he too shook hands all around, followed by Sam.
"We were wondering why you hadn't written," added Sam.
"We were going to surprise you," answered Grace. "We expected to get home yesterday and visit the academy. But there was a breakdown on the line and our train was delayed and that made us miss a connection."
"We thought sure we'd miss you," said Nellie. "It made us feel awfully."
"Have you dined yet?" asked Dick.
"No."