"But she didn't!" observed David.
"No," said Polly, "he drove her off finally."
"And we beat it!" giggled Miss Crilly.
"We thought you would wonder what had become of us," smiled Leonora.
"We did," agreed Mrs. Albright, "and somebody else will be wondering that same thing, if we don't march home about as fast as we can!"
Polly's cool and charming sweetness was all that saved the party from Miss Sniffen's very apparent displeasure, the tardy ones agreed. Supper had been served at least five minutes before they filed into the dining-room; but their astonishing appetites, which gave a relish even to soggy corncake and watery tea, almost counterbalanced any fears for their future walks with Polly.
Juanita Sterling sat down wearily in her own room. "I wish I had stayed at home!" she sighed.
CHAPTER XIV
POLLY PLANS
"Father," Polly began thoughtfully, "I've been thinking—you remember I told you about our walk the other day and how tired Miss Nita and some of the other ladies were before I even thought of such a thing—" Polly stopped questioningly.