“I hope that’s the last experience you girls’ll ever have of that kind,” he said earnestly.
A moment’s silence fell; then Jo Ann asked, “Where’s Jitters?” Suddenly recalling that neither man knew the name of their car, she added, smiling, “Our old Ford, I mean.”
The two men exchanged smiles before Mr. Andrews answered, “Jitters is a complete wreck—in a deep gully near the border.”
A look of utter bewilderment appeared on the face of each girl.
In another moment Jo Ann recovered sufficiently to say haltingly, “But—you wrote—you were bringing our car.”
“I did bring it. There it is!” Mr. Andrews gestured to the shining new car. “It’s a present for the assistance you girls have given us—to take the place of your Jitters.”
Three pairs of eyes flew open to their widest. So overwhelming was their amazement that for once none of them could speak for a full minute.
“You have done much for us,” Mr. Gonzales spoke up, smiling. “You have probably saved my life as well as Mr. Andrews’s. Muchas gracias.”
“But—but, Mr. Andrews—Mr. Gonzales,” began Jo Ann confusedly. “We do not deserve this fine new car. You must not give us such a——”
“You have more than earned it,” smiled Mr. Andrews. “It is yours by rights. We owe you more than we can ever repay you.”