But Mrs. Cheever was interrupted here by the arrival of the other charter members of the Philosophers' Club: plump Tom Parks, handsome Joe Felder, and Portia's special friend Lucy Lapham, a dark-eyed girl with curly hair.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you!" cried Portia, giving her a hug. "I'm so glad to see another girl!"
After the flurry of greetings, Tom Parks sat down on the porch steps with a heavy groan.
"I bet I've melted off five pounds."
"Better melt off twenty more," Julian advised him kindly.
They all looked very hot from their long walk. Their cheeks were strawberry red, their noses spangled with sweat, and their hair was soaking.
"I bet you could fry an egg on my hat," Joe Felder said. "I mean it's hot, man, hot!"
"Well, cheer up, though." Portia comforted them. "Uncle Pin is going to show us a place to swim."
"If it's still there," the old gentleman amended.
"Oh, boy, I hope it is!" Tom said fervently. Then his face fell. "We didn't bring any bathing suits. Heck!"