"Such praise is praise indeed," spoke Ed with a laugh.
He went around back to look at the brake, and found what had caused the trouble. A loose nut had fallen between the brake band and the wheel hub, and prevented the band from tightening. The trouble was soon remedied, and the brake put in working order.
"There—you are all ready for the road now," remarked Ed.
"Thank you—very much," said Cora quietly, but there was a world of meaning in her tones.
Ed looked into her eyes rather longer than perhaps was necessary.
"Come on; get in with us, Ed," invited Jack. "Haven't seen you in an age. Let's hear about the Detroit team."
"Oh, I'm—I'm too dirty to get in the car, I'm afraid," objected Ed, with a glance at the mud spots that were now turning to light-gray polka-dots on his clothes, in the strong sunlight.
"Nonsense!" cried Jack heartily. "Come along. Walter will drive for Cora, in case she is nervous. It needs a strong wrist in this soft ground."
"Oh, yes! Do please steer for us," begged the still trembling
Isabel. "I'd feel so much safer—"
"Well, I like that!" cried Corm with a light laugh. "Is that the way you treat me, after having saved your life?"