“I’m hungry! I want a good supper!” suddenly cried Trouble.
“Dear me!” exclaimed his mother. “I’m afraid we haven’t very much left to eat. I counted on being in the bungalow for supper.”
Mr. Martin appeared to think for a moment. He looked toward the white farmhouse and seemed to make up his mind.
“Wait here,” he said to his family. “As long as we are going to put up over night I’ll see if they won’t take us in here. It will take quite a while for me to put on the fan belt, as I’m not used to doing it. By that time it would be quite late, and it is several miles to the next town where there is a hotel.”
“It would be lovely to stay here,” said Mrs. Martin. “But of course we can’t expect strangers to put themselves out for us.”
“It will do no harm to ask, at any rate,” said Mr. Martin.
He walked up to the side door of the farmhouse and soon those waiting in the automobile saw him talking to a pleasant-faced woman. Matters seemed to be all right, for Mr. Martin called:
“Come on! This lady has very kindly consented to let us stay here over night.”
“Oh, that is good of you!” exclaimed Mrs. Martin, as she advanced with Ted, Janet and Trouble, while Lucy began getting out the bags.
“No trouble at all,” was the answer of the farmer’s wife. “We have plenty of room, and often accommodate auto parties. My husband will soon be here. He is Jed Pitney.”