They passed through Trader’s Post at a more moderate speed, as Mason wanted his sister to get a good look at the town.
“It isn’t much of a place,” Josephine confided to Ethel in an apologetic voice, “but we do about all our trading there.”
“Oh, I think this country is great. I haven’t been away from New York in a long time and this vacation will do me good,” Ethel answered enthusiastically.
She looked curiously at her brother.
“Now, what are you grinning about, Jack?” she demanded.
“I was wondering where you picked it up,” he said, his face now sober as a deacon.
“It, what?” she queried, her eyes wide in astonishment.
“Why, Percy Vanderpool, of course. Did he wish himself on you, or did you invite him out here? I have seen him at the clubs in New York, and he was noted for a brainless wonder although he traveled in the best of society.”
“I was surprised and humiliated by your actions at the station, brother,” she said reprovingly, “why, you actually laughed in his face.”
“Couldn’t help it,” he confessed ruefully, “Percy is a regular freak, and I wish you would tell me how he came to be with you and mother.”