“You really must go, boys,” Cora insisted. “Mrs. Robinson is going to keep model hours, and I am only a guest here.”
This was taken as the ultimatum, and reluctantly the trio left with the promise of a “big day” on the morrow.
Cora and Bess chatted a while before retiring. They had many things to talk of, but the lateness of the hour prevented a lengthy discourse.
“Mother is so worried because our maid Nettie does not come,” Bess whispered. “She is always so reliable, and so prompt, we cannot imagine what can have detained her.”
“She may be ill,” suggested Cora.
“Father would send a message in that case,” replied Bess.
“Perhaps you will get a message on the morning mail,” continued Cora. “At any rate, I would not worry about matters at home.”
With this hopeful assurance the girls said good-night, and soon closed their eyes on that day’s experience at Lookout Beach.
The “morning dawned auspiciously,” as Belle would say, but according to the boys it was a “peach of a day.” Either way the morning was delightful, clear ocean air seeming to provide both eating and drinking to those who breathed deep of its salt tanginess and ozone.
And this was the day that our boy friends were to go housekeeping!