Miss Miller smiled, but she wondered what the mothers would think if they but knew how glad their girls were to get away from nagging foolish worry. How much better to recognise in each girl of their age a certain amount of responsibility for themselves, and guide by example or suggestion, instead of demands or coercion.
"Next station is Junction—change cars for all stops on the Rahway River branch!" shouted a brakeman from the platform.
"So soon! Why, it doesn't seem like an hour and a half, does it?" exclaimed Zan.
"Why, no! I thought we were only half way there!" replied Miss Miller, as the girls hastily gathered their baggage together.
The party hurried off, and across the platform to a waiting local train on a side-track. The engine and coaches were old-fashioned, the windows small and set high from the floor. The girls laughed at the sight of such cars, and climbed up the high narrow steps to the platform.
Farmers constituted the majority of the passengers and the city girls were amused at the different types presented before them.
"Girls, let's open these windows immediately! Mercy, how can any one sit in these stuffy cars with the crevices all stopped to prevent a breath of fresh air entering!" exclaimed Miss Miller, impatiently.
The girls laughed, for it was one of the teacher's pet theories that plenty of fresh air never injured anybody.
The farmers looked askance, however, when the pleasant air circulated through the car and drove forth the obnoxious odours.
Many of the travellers left the train at small way-stations and Miss Miller's party had the car all to themselves during the last few miles of the ride. Zan recognised the land-marks that showed her they were almost through with their journey, and she ordered the girls to get ready to leave the car.