Polly made a smiling response, though in a little dismay she silently ran over their stock of eatables and wondered if Kate’s suggestion might not hold a hint of truth. She decided, however, that nothing more would be absolutely needed before Monday morning, when the grocer would be there.
Sally Robinson was with the young people at Sunrise Chalet much of the time during the visitors’ stay, and wherever they were there were also good-fellowship and mirth. Nobody could have guessed that Polly’s thoughts were often far away from the little group of merrymakers. She found herself almost constantly wondering how it was with Patricia, and if John really did care for her. She fancied that she might find out if she could see him alone; but there never seemed to be any chance for that.
Sunday morning the party drove down to the little Overlook church, and after dinner they strolled down the mountain, pairing off as young folks will. Polly wished that John would drop behind to her; but he walked beside Sally. Lilith was with Dr. Abbe, while Polly and Kate kept together at the side of the woodsy road and talked of happenings at Fair Harbor during the last few weeks.
Suddenly Lilith, who had climbed a high bank to pick some late raspberries, made a misstep. She clutched at the thorny bushes, but down the incline she rolled, tearing both hands and clothing. In the confusion Polly found herself beside John; nevertheless, when it was discovered that Lilith was not injured beyond a few scratches, and the party walked on again, he returned to Sally.
At this, Polly marveled not a little. It was clear to her that John was either uncommonly devoted to Sally or positively avoiding herself. Which was it? She could not decide. She had staked her hopes upon the chance of talking with him this afternoon, and now it would soon be time for their return. Without doubt her opportunity was gone. Why couldn’t he have fallen in with her plans! Poor Patricia! Well, perhaps she had better give up her attempts at matchmaking.
In the same order the party walked back to the house for tea and then spent the evening at Sally’s home. It was hard for Polly to overcome her disappointment.
After breakfast Kate went to bid Sally good-bye and returned almost at once in some excitement.
“They want me to stay the week out at least!” she cried delightedly. “You won’t mind going back alone, shall you, John? And I can go home by train.”
“What a fine time I shall have, with nobody to talk to me all day long!” he exclaimed mockingly.
“Well, it is shabby to make you go that lonely road without a soul to keep you company,” she confessed in contrition; “but I do so want to stay over—oh, I say, Polly can ride down to Overlook with you! That will be something, and she said she had got to go down to-day—didn’t you, Polly?”