“Yes, there isn’t another in Chelton, except the public ones, so well arranged,” added Walter. “But we might have waited until morning to bring the machines here.”
“No, I thought it was best to have them here the night before we were to start,” explained Cora, who was to assume the leadership of the prospective trip. “Some of us might have been tempted to go out on a little spin this evening, and an accident might have occurred that would delay us.”
“Did the Petrel get off safely?” inquired Ed.
“Yes,” replied Jack. “It’s in a regular motor boat crate that the man said would stand the journey. I saw it put in the freight car myself, and well braced. It will be there waiting for us when we get to the Cove.”
“I hope it runs,” murmured Walter.
“Don’t be a pessimist–or is it an optimist? I never can tell which from what,” spoke Belle. “I mean don’t be one who’s always looking on the dark side. Look for the silver lining of the clouds.”
“Say, it’s clouding up all right,” declared Jack, as he glanced from the window.
A distant rumble was heard at that moment.
“That’s thunder!” exclaimed Belle, “and we have no umbrellas.” She glanced at her sister and Eline.
“Better have it rain to-night than to-morrow, when we want to start,” said Cora, philosophically.