"Vir—gin—i—a—." The yell died away as the men saw the professor's daughter greeting the arrivals with laughing welcome. They fell to guying each other mercilessly. But Lawson, standing not far away, came at once to Frances' assistance.
"Let me help you!" He reached for some of the bundles.
"Oh, thank you! Mr. Lawson, these are my Richmond friends, Miss Rowan, Mr. Lawson! Miss Martin!"
The young women held out their gloved hands and Lawson welcomed them impressively. He assisted them into the trap with careful gallantry, the strangers, both of them, in the back seat, the packages stored at their feet. Frances was subduing the antics of Starlight, who after standing quietly when there was need, took occasion to seem shocked at the engine now that his driver was in place and he felt the touch of the reins on his bit, and to stand protestingly on his hind feet and paw the air.
The strangers were frightened. "Can you manage him, Frances?" cried one.
"Oh, let me get out!" the other pleaded.
"We'll come up on the street car!" Miss Rowan declared, white with fear.
"Sit still!" commanded Frances, shortly. "Come down, Starlight! behave yourself!" she reached for the whip.
"Don't strike him! There's no telling what he would do!" begged the visitors. Lawson, near, stalwart and interested, seemed a godsend.
"Do come with us!" pleaded Elizabeth Martin, who in all emergencies turned to the nearest man.