This kept up practically all morning with the owner of the parrot talking on tirelessly and the girls trying to listen politely until lunch time came.
Thankfully they made their way through the swaying train to the dining car and sat themselves gratefully down at a little table set for four.
“Thank goodness we’ve escaped,” sighed Billie, as her eyes wandered eagerly down the bill of fare, for Billie was very hungry. “What will you have, girls? I could eat everything on the card without stopping to breathe.”
When they returned to their car after lunch they found to their relief that the talkative old woman was gathering up her things as if about to change cars at the junction—which was the next stop.
She did get out at the junction, parrot and all, and the girls fairly hugged each other in their delight.
“Poor old thing,” said Billie as the train swung out from the station and the parrot cage disappeared. “I wonder,” she added after a moment, “if I’ll ever get like that.”
“You!” scoffed Vi, with a fond glance at Billie’s lovely face. “Yes, you look a lot like an old maid.”
“And didn’t Teddy give her candy this morning?” added Laura, with a wicked glance at Billie, who said not a word, but stared steadily out of the window.
They bought magazines and tried to read them, but finally gave up the attempt. What was the use of reading about other people’s adventures when a far more thrilling one was in store for them at Lighthouse Island?
Billie said something like this, but Connie shook her head doubtfully.