“That’s because you never could stand being a wall flower, Nancy-Bell,” said Elinor. “Your name is not Nancy-Bell for nothing.”
“Well, I should like to meet some of those nice blonde young men with such healthy, rosy cheeks,” began Nancy, “just to see what they are like and if they are really as bashful as they appear.”
“You’ll probably get your wish. You always do, Nancy,” observed Billie.
And she did. What instinct was it that directed their feet that afternoon toward the very place of all others where they were most likely to meet old friends? They were strolling on Magdalen Bridge (pronounced Maudlin) toward Magdalen Tower, and had just paused to look down into the waters of the River Cherwell, when three young men, walking arm in arm and keeping step like soldiers, unexpectedly stopped short in front of them.
One of them, who had a freckled face and very red hair, cried out:
“Billie, Nancy, Elinor, Mary! As I live, it’s the Motor Maids,” and with that he endeavored to embrace the whole group at once with two long, encircling arms.
The other two young men, who were exactly alike even to their gray suits and straw hats, shouted joyfully:
“Miss Campbell and the Motor Maids! Isn’t this great? Where did you come from?”
“Well, of all the amazing things,” exclaimed Billie, when she could find her voice, “if it isn’t the two Edwards and Timothy Peppercorn!”
Doubtless you will recall the two Edward Paxtons, American and English cousins, and their friend, Timothy Peppercorn, who appeared in the second volume of these stories, “The Motor Maids by Palm and Pine.”