“Are we ready to hike?” asked Harriet.
Margery’s face took on a pained expression.
“Oh, I suppose so,” she complained. “The sooner we start the sooner we shall get there. Then a long night’s rest in our own tent. Oh, joy, oh, joy!”
“It may not be so very joyous, after all,” retorted Miss Elting. “In this topsy-turvy bit of country anything may happen, at any moment, to keep us awake, or even to banish the wish for sleep.”
“What we need,” said Tommy soberly, “ith a nithe, good-natured dog that will bite folkth.”
Miss Elting decided that it was time to start. So shouldering their packs the girls moved on.
“I’ll be driving behind you,” said Crazy Jane. “I’ll be pace-maker. If you lag I’ll remonstrate by riding over you! How will you like that?”
Miss Elting and Harriet set a good stride. The other girls straggled after them, Margery being last of all. Behind them all Jane drove the car slowly, the engine making no noise.
“We must walk faster, girls!” cried Miss Elting, looking back. “You, especially, Margery. Faster!”
“I couldn’t move any faster,” protested Margery wearily “even if I were paid for it.”