“And Paul Perkins, the well-known inventor,” grinned Tubby.
“I guess you have the advantage of us,” rejoined Rob.
The girl laughed merrily at his embarrassment.
“I am Dale Harding’s sister,” she said. “I only got home from the West two days ago, and my friend is a sister of Freeman Hunt’s.”
“Wow!” Tubby exclaimed, in low voice. Then he went on: “I don’t believe Miss Hunt has been here very long.”
“No, indeed. I only arrived about a week ago,” said the young lady herself. “I have been at a finishing school up the Hudson. I think it’s much nicer here, though,” she added.
“Not if you have many more experiences like that,” laughed Rob.
“Oh, I don’t know. If there are always some nice boys about to help us, I shouldn’t mind, should you, May?”
“Not a bit,” confessed Dale Harding’s sister. “But come Helen, we must be walking on or we shall be late for that appointment.”
At this juncture, Horatio Jeffords himself, red-faced and panting, came in view. He was carrying Rob’s coat.