Jack, who followed Ed, said something in conventional greeting to
Ida. But the girl with Sid never turned her head to look in the
direction of the Whirlwind. Cora remarked on this in a low voice to
Isabel and Elizabeth.
"I hear that you are going in for—er—Wall Street," said Sid to Ed in rather a sarcastic voice.
"Oh, no. Nothing like that. No chance for a lamb like me in Wall
Street. It's too much of a losing game."
"Oh, I don't know," drawled Sid. "A fellow might make good, and then do—well, better."
Ed glanced at Jack. How did Sid know about Ed's plan to take stock in the new bank? That was a question that each youth flashed to the other.
There was something unpleasant in the manner of Sidney Wilcox. All in the party seemed to feel it. And as far as the girls were concerned, they noticed much of the same manner in Ida, though Jack and Ed were not quite so critical. As for Walter, he did not seem to be giving Ida a thought. But it is doubtful if she was so indifferent toward him. Still, she would not look in his direction while Cora and her two chums were with him.
Corn walked slowly up the broad store steps; Bess and Belle following.
"I'm simply choked," said Cora with a laugh. "I never had such a thirsty run."
Ida seemed very much interested in the distant landscape.
"The roads are awfully dry," she murmured.