"If Nettie does not come," remarked Ed, "are you sure, Cora, you won't be the least bit afraid alone at the cottage?"
"Why, no. There is a telephone wire over to the hotel, and, besides, I'm going to cock the little ivory pistol before I go to bed. A sneak thief always runs at the very sound of a pistol."
"Well, I hope you will have no occasion to fire," replied Ed, "but, if you do, fire from the south window, and we will hear you."
"And run all the way up the beach?" Cora told him, laughing at the possibility. "Why, there is always an officer on the pier, and he will be only too glad to have a run—he needs it."
"You have it all planned?"
"No, how silly! I was only thinking that in a real emergency it is well to be ready."
"I guess you won't have any trouble. Here, man," to Walter, "don't you know better than to drive the lady into the barn?"
But Walter paid no heed, and before the car stopped it was properly stalled in the very end of the big stone garage.