At last the train started. The electric lights, which had added so much to the heat, were turned off. “O, goody, we’re moving!” exclaimed June, settling comfortably back by Hilary, who had put June next to the window and was fanning them both. “Goodbye, dear old Cincy, we’re going to see lots of rivers and lakes and boats and things before we get back to the Ohio and the Island Queen or the Morning Star.”
Candy boxes came out immediately and were passed around, but to Miss West’s surprise and relief, the girls tasted sparingly.
“No, thanks,” said Marjorie, as Jean offered her a box of chocolates, “I promised Mother not to touch candy till the trip was at least almost over. She wanted me to get there all right. And any way this is my summer to reduce. I have to take a dip every morning, get to breakfast on time, go on the hikes and everything. And here old Jean eats twice as much as I do, and see how nice and slim she is.”
“It’s in our family to be skinny,” remarked Jean. “I like what you say about my eating twice as much as you do,” she continued, grinning at Marjorie. “No, thank you; I had two caramels and a bonbon. See? I brought along an Atlantic Monthly to show how high-brow I am. Auntie bought it for me, though.”
Different magazines were produced and the girls settled down quietly to read, chat, or watch the passing scenery. As night drew on, cooler air came in the screened windows. The girls, tired with the heat and the activities incident to their departure, were glad to get to their berths as soon as the porter made them up.
“How do we ever get up there, Hilary?” asked June.
“O, the porter will bring a little ladder and will help us up; and in the morning we’ll press a little button to ring for him and he’ll help us down again.”
The tips of brown or black oxfords peeped from beneath the green curtains behind which quiet, well-behaved girls were quickly preparing for the night. “Here’s the hanger for our coats, Helen,” whispered Evelyn. “Maybe we can get our dresses on it too.”
“Let’s use that for our dresses, they’re longer. I’ll get a hanger out of my suit-case for the coats, or we can fold them and put them on the shelf. See these hooks? You just pull them out straight. We certainly shall never need that blanket!”
“No telling, when we get up near the lake. Why do they always have the pillow on the end toward the engine?”