"Oh!" screamed Bess, "I'll do nothing of the sort. Let Cora."
"Why?" asked Cora.
"Because—you're never the least bit afraid," stammered Bess.
"Thanks," said Cora, without hesitation thrusting her head into the aperture through which dishes were passed. "Ouch!" she exclaimed, hastily withdrawing with her hand on her nose.
"What's the matter?" asked Ed. "Did you bump into something?"
"Yes," replied Cora, looking straight into the eyes of Bess. "I just bumped into—a fact."
Then she and her brother walked into another room, leaving their friends to discuss the happening and follow at their leisure.
CHAPTER II
STRIKE OF THE "LEADING LADY"
"Exactly what did you mean, Cora?"