They had drifted back into the sitting room now and the rain was beating on the windows in torrents. It was chilly, and they were glad to see Takamini light a wood fire in the open brick fire-place. Miss Campbell, seated in a big leather chair in the chimney corner, dozed off in the warmth of the firelight, her head drooping to one side like a tired little bird’s.
The four girls gathered around the table, while Mr. Moore taking a large atlas from a shelf, opened at the map of the United States and spread it on the table.
“Now,” he said, “tell me about the trip. Are you the captain of the expedition, Miss Billie?”
“Yes,” replied the others in unison.
“Cousin Helen is the general,” said Billie, “and we are just her staff. I am chief guide because I know how to run the motor, but everybody has a place. We could never give these parties if one of us dropped out.”
“Well, it’s a jolly party,” said their host. “You are five very brave ladies, I think. I only know one other as brave.”
“Does she live in Salt Lake City?” asked Nancy innocently.
The other girls looked annoyed and Nancy herself was sorry after she had made this impulsive speech. But Daniel Moore was not at all annoyed. He was only a little surprised.
“Why, yes,” he answered, “you guessed right the very first time. How did it happen?”
“Well,” began Nancy and paused, greatly embarrassed, “I just guessed,” which was a perfectly true statement.