"Well, if you want to ride back with me, I'll be very glad to have you. I must get back in time for luncheon or mamma may worry."
"Well, we mustn't have that happen. I'll get right in," which he did, after cranking up the car for her, for not always could she stop it leaving a charge in one cylinder, so that it would start from the seat.
"I'm very glad you got the place," went on Cora as she steered out from among a tangle of other autos and carriages about the station.
"So am I. It means a great deal to me."
"And Sid was so disappointed. I could tell by his face, though he pretended not to be. But that's why he—ran away with me—or, rather, with my car."
"It would be difficult to understand all his reasons," declared Paul with a smile. "He may have had another, equally weighty."
"You mean—"
Cora felt the warm blood mounting to her cheeks.
"I think he wanted to boast that he had ridden with you."
Paul was rather sorry he had said this, the moment after the words were uttered. Cora seemed much embarrassed. To give a new direction to her thoughts, Paul said: