“There’s nothing the matter with me except for the shock and a few bruises,” he declared. “I’ll be as well as ever as soon as this dizziness passes away.”
He proved himself a true prophet, for at the end of ten minutes he was on his feet and looking ruefully at his car.
“Pretty much of a wreck, I imagine,” he remarked with a twisted smile, as he walked around it and took stock of the damage.
The girls joined in the inspection, and as they knew as much about automobiles as the man himself, they satisfied themselves that he had not exaggerated much in describing it as a “wreck.” The wheels and part of the body were intact, but the machinery was badly knocked out of gear. It was clear that it would not be able to go under its own power.
“There’s a garage a few miles further on,” the stranger remarked. “I’ll have to leave word there and have them come back to get it.”
“No need of doing that,” volunteered Cora. “We’re going in that direction, and we’ll be glad to tow you there.”
The man hesitated.
“It’s very good of you,” he replied, “but I’m afraid I’ve taxed your kindness too far already.”
“It won’t be any trouble at all,” returned Cora cordially. “You can sit in the front seat with me, and as my car is a powerful one we’ll be able to tow yours easily.”
He demurred a little longer, but finally accepted the offer with hearty thanks. The farmer brought out a rope, and with the aid of a couple of farm hands got the wrecked machine out in the road. Then the two cars were connected and the girls started off, with a parting wave of the hand and a smile directed especially to the little toddler, who was held tightly in the mother’s arm.