“I confess I do look like a coal heaver,” he said, starting up briskly, “but I’ve had the engine running like a top and it is in fine shape. I will have these duds off and be cleaned up in about a minute. Please run along now, Josephine, and get ready. I will drive right up to the house for you.”
Josephine had already started for the house.
“I will be ready and waiting for you, Sir Jack,” she called back to him as he stood watching her trim figure until she disappeared in the house.
Five minutes later Mason was speeding along the trail with Josephine beside him in the low seat of his powerful racer. She was in high spirits as usual, but seemed to be in a meditative mood. He stole a glance at her to find her eyes searching his face with an odd expression in them.
“I am puzzled and curious to see that third party my sister is bringing with her,” he said, breaking a long silence.
She nodded.
“I was thinking of about the same thing. I hope your mother and sister will like me,” she said wistfully.
He laughed outright.
“So, that is what you are worrying your pretty head about. Well, I will answer for mother, and as for sis, she will take to you like a duck does to water.”
“Do you really think so?” there was a little catch to her voice.