"And the—the——" it was Betty who began this, it being her evident intention to make a remark about the haunted house. Then her usual good sense came to her rescue, and she refrained. There was pressure enough now on the nerves of her chums, she reasoned.
"Well, what of it?" she asked in a voice meant to be cheerful, and Betty was an adept at simulation under necessity.
"Don't—don't you understand?" faltered Grace, in a low voice—a tone calculated to add to the tenseness of the situation, rather than to relieve it.
"I understand that our car has balked for some reason or other," said Betty in brisk, business-like tones, "and we have to fix it. If we don't we are likely to be caught in a thunder storm. So get out, girls, and let's hunt for trouble. Grace, if you have any chocolates left you might offer them as a prize for the one who first discovers the difficulty—and why the motor won't mote. Cousin Jane will be the—stake-holder is the proper term, I believe."
"The idea!" cried Mollie. "That's only When there is betting. We don't do anything like that."
"I meant to say prize-holder then!" admitted Betty, with a laugh.
"Well, there's no use discussing it—I haven't a chocolate left," sighed Grace. "But oh, do you realize our position?"
"I do indeed, and that's why I say we must make this car go," went on Betty. "Come," and she got out, followed by Mollie. "It seems hard lines to get a thunder storm after all the rain we've had, but it is threatening. Let's get busy."
"I think that suggestion very practical," said Mrs. Mackson. "Girls, you had better do as Betty says and try to find out what is the matter with the car. I don't know anything about such things or I'd help. If a hairpin will be of any use I have an extra paper of them with me."
"Hairpins! Oh, dear!" laughed Amy half hysterically. "A hairpin to mend a broken auto!"