“Well, there’s no need to be uneasy about Rosanna or me. We’ll have no trouble.”
With a laugh of careless confidence, Penny started the car and drove slowly away. It was not the first time she had driven over mountainous roads. She handled the wheel exceptionally well and used due caution on all of the sharp curves. The brakes were good but she dared not apply them too steadily on the steep inclines.
“We’ll have to rush if we get back to Mt. Ashland this evening,” Penny announced, slowing down to read a signpost. “I declare, a mountain mile seems to be three times the length of an ordinary mile.”
They had gone only a short distance farther when a tire went down. Penny knew it instantly by the feel of the steering wheel. She pulled off at the side of the road.
“Now we are in it,” she said in deep disgust. “At least ten miles from a garage. I can change wheels on my own car, but I doubt if I can on Dad’s automobile.”
The girls waited for a few minutes hoping that someone would come along to help. When no one did, Penny dragged out the tools, and after considerable trouble succeeded in jacking up the rear axle.
“I see a car coming,” Rosanna reported hopefully.
“Let’s flag it,” Penny suggested. “I could do with a little masculine help.”
In response to her signal of distress, the approaching automobile slowed down. The driver was a man and there were no passengers.
“He’s stopping,” Penny said in relief.