Roy seized his brother’s arm in a grip of steel.
“Teddy, stop it! Teddy! Snap out of it now! You don’t know anything! You’re just guessing! Stop that yelling!”
Teddy put his hand to his head. For a moment he shook as though with the ague, then took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I—I didn’t mean to shout. Didn’t know what I was doing, I guess. Don’t mind me—”
Mr. Ball stepped forward and laid a friendly hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“I know just how you feel, son,” he said kindly. “But don’t get worked up. The girls may be all right. It may be just a joke, or—or something. Take it easy, son. When my wife comes down— Did you get it, Sera?” he broke off eagerly.
Silently his wife handed him a slip of paper. Mr. Ball glanced at it and passed it to Roy. Together the two boys stared at the writing.
It was short and addressed to Mrs. Peter Ball. It ran:
“This will introduce Jack Richmond, who is driving for us now. He has come to bring Belle Ada home. Can’t Nell and Ethel visit with us for a while? We should love to have them. They can all pile in the car with Jack, and he’ll bring them over to our ranch. Please say yes.
“Barbara Havens Manley.”