"Trust them for fun," answered Cora. "I will simply trounce Jack if he attempts to overhaul our stores."
Hazel laughed merrily. "If only Paul were along," she ventured. "And, Cora, do you know that mailbag business is not by any means settled?" she asked.
"I know that, girlie," said Cora with polite seriousness, "but all troubles are tabooed on this ride, you know. Gertrude," to the girl who had been looking and listening, "I appoint you monitor of this car. The first girl to bring in troubles is to be fined."
"Very well," replied Gertrude, "I shall be glad to have something to do. I feel like a stranger with those boys."
"That's because you do not know them," ventured Ray. "They are perfectly splendid boys."
"Make a note of that," called Cora. "Gertrude, that is one mark in favor of Ray."
The procession was winding along a pretty country road. Trees closed in from side to side, and deep gutters outlined the driveway from the footpath.
The boys had actually ceased their antics for the time, and it occurred to more than one girl that this respite might have been more advantageous if it had been put into operation in the city streets—the decorum was wasted in the woods. But boys have a queer reasoning code—where girls are concerned.
"Don't you suppose they will turn back before we reach the Glen?" called Bess to Cora. Their machines were running quite close together.
"If they don't leave us we will drive past the teahouse, and come back later," said Cora.