In spite of her hesitation, Jo Ann finally succeeded in persuading her to let them go to the city.
“If you set the alarm clock for four-thirty and get up then, I believe you can make the trip in one day,” she said as the girls were about to leave. “Take my clock to your room.” She reached over to the near-by table, picked up her alarm clock, and set it to go off at that hour before handing it to Jo Ann.
It was hard for Jo Ann to keep from laughing, as she could see Florence’s eyes twinkling, and Peggy holding her hand over her mouth to check her mirth.
At the first sound of the alarm the next morning, Jo Ann reached over and turned it off, then popped out of bed and began dressing. Florence rose almost as promptly, but it required much persuasion from both of them to get Peggy out of bed.
“I’m not keen on this trip anyway, since we won’t get to stay in the city tonight and promenade on the Plaza,” she grumbled drowsily as she sat on the edge of the bed, making no move to dress. “I’m not interested in seeing an old mystery man, as Jo Ann is.”
“Only in handsome young Mexican ones,” Jo Ann grinned. “Well, you may pass your smiling young Mexican on the street today.”
“If I should, I’d look very romantic sitting in an old car packed with a huge crate, now, wouldn’t I? He’d think I was bringing chickens or something to market.”
Both girls laughed at Peggy’s disgusted tone.
“That reminds me,” Jo Ann added, “that we must go straight to the market as soon as we reach the city.”
By the time they had dressed and had eaten a hurried breakfast, José was waiting for them with the horses. To their surprise he rode on up the trail with them.