The next day the Curtises arrived, their car loaded with baggage, and Mary said there was more coming by express. Now it was Penny’s and Philip’s turn to get all excited and to catch up on old times with Mary and Charles.
Charles greeted Penny in his old devoted manner, and immediately asked if Peter Wyland, his chief competitor, had arrived yet or if he was going to have her to himself this summer. He made it very clear that even if Peter came, he was planning to absorb all of Penny’s spare time. Penny was cordial but elusive and all the more attractive. Charles did not enjoy at all her enthusiasm over the different members of his party. He felt that the kiss with which Penny greeted Mary should have been planted on his cheek instead and he said so.
Mary and Phil, on the other hand, acted like the two old chums that they were. They both laughed heartily when Charles tried to kiss Penny and she slipped hastily behind Phil.
“I can see,” Mary said, “that we’re going to have a grand summer watching those two fight.”
Phil chuckled. “We’re delighted you all wanted to spend the summer with us.”
“That’s right,” Penny said, making a face at Charles. “Even you, silly. I wouldn’t have considered the summer complete unless the Curtises were here.”
“I know we’re going to have the time of our lives,” Mary said enthusiastically.
“I hope so,” Penny said. “We’ve made all kinds of plans. We’ll hike through the woods to the nearby places of interest, and have picnics and all sorts of evening parties.”
“And,” Phil added to Charles, “fish and hunt.”
“The yacht,” Penny went on, “is in fine shape. We can go on overnight trips on the lake. Oh,” she finished, “I’m just full of plans.”