“You silly boys,” giggled Kitty, “perhaps we will need you, so keep in fighting trim until such a time might arise.”
“At your service, fair ladies,” said Marshmallow solemnly, taking off his hat, and making a sweeping bow before them.
“Jake can be your second,” suggested Doris.
And so it was arranged in regard to bringing the much-desired loan.
Dave and Marshmallow left the girls at the mansion gate, but as it was growing late declined an invitation to go inside. Doris and Kitty watched them drive away and then reluctantly walked up the path toward the house.
“Ronald’s car isn’t here,” Doris observed in relief, “so if he came today, he must have left before we returned. At least I won’t be bothered about that loan until tomorrow, and I can give him a definite answer then.”
Kitty agreed with her friend that there was no further need of troubling their minds about Ronald Trent and the loan, at least not tonight, so they slowly sauntered up the pathway toward the old mansion.
CHAPTER XXI
AN UNUSUAL PROCEDURE
“I don’t like to speak of it, but Ronald will be here directly after breakfast and I am afraid he expects a definite answer about the loan. We dislike to rush you but the dear boy is so impatient and—”
Azalea allowed her words to trail off and smiled apologetically at Doris, who sat opposite her at the breakfast table. Iris looked down at her plate to hide her embarrassment. Both ladies were very proud and found it difficult to bring up the subject of money.