“But suppose she should get lonely or frightened—?”
Just then a melodious Swiss yodel broke the stillness of the early morning and Billie laughed.
“She isn’t going to be lonesome. She is accustomed to the mountains. Do let’s take a holiday, Cousin Helen, please,” and with Miss Helen’s assent, Billie rushed off to find the others and tell the good news.
Perhaps some people would regard it as a fault in Billie’s character that, having formed a plan, she was always filled with wild impatience to carry it out. But when we consider that Billie’s plans concerned the pleasure and entertainment of other people and that her impatience was only another form of earnest enthusiasm, it would be difficult to criticise her.
While three of the Motor Maids busied themselves preparing the luncheon, Billie and Ben worked over the motor car, putting it in condition for a long trip, and Percy, in blue overalls, washed the body of the car.
“I am so glad to save you this drudgery,” he observed, with an ingratiating smile.
“You’re not half as glad as we are, Percival Algernon,” answered Ben. “It’s a double blessing, because it’s good discipline for you and it gives us a chance to show how much we know about machinery.”
“Don’t boast, my son. You may have a sure enough chance before the sun sets,” remarked Percy in the tone of a prophet.
“After you have washed him off well, rub him down with those cloths,” ordered Billie from under the car. “Then stow the rubber curtains inside and see to the lights. It may be late before we get back.”
“All right, Captain,” answered Percy respectfully.