"Thanks, I believe I will. That is, if you don't mind being seen with such a disreputable figure as I cut."
"Of course we don't mind!" declared Betty. "We are getting rather travel-stained ourselves."
"Our trunks will be waiting for us at your cousin's house, Betty," spoke Grace, for it was there they were to spend the last night of their now nearly finished tour. "We can freshen up," went on the girl who loved candy, "and enter into town in style. I hope mamma put in my new gown and another pair of shoes."
"Grace Ford! You don't mean that you'd put on a new dress to finish up this walking excursion in, do you?" asked Mollie.
"Certainly I shall. We don't know who we might meet as we get into
Deepdale."
"We will hardly get in before dusk," said Betty. "From Judgeville there is the longest stretch of all, nearly twenty-two miles."
"Oh, dear!" groaned Grace. "We'll never do it. Why did you arrange for such a long walk, Betty?"
"I couldn't help it. There were no other relatives available, and I couldn't have any made to order. There was no stopping place between here and home."
"Oh, I dare say I can stand it," murmured Grace. "But I guess I won't wear my new shoes in that case. Twenty-two miles!"
"It is quite a stretch," said Mr. Blackford.