“I never had so much fun in my life,” said Martha. “You have all got me spoiled by this trip, for a summer at home or for an excursion with anyone else. I’m wedded to you for life, vacationally speaking.”
“It is a real pleasure to take you girls anywhere,” said Miss Ashton, in reply; “not only because you so thoroughly appreciate what one does, and enjoy it, but because you are good company. It is not often that a chaperon can boast of a wholly congenial party of girls who keep sweet-tempered, pleased with what they see, and who have such consideration for her. I hope we shall be able to go somewhere again, sometime.”
“And so do we,” was the echo.
“And the lovely picture that you girls gave me will serve to remind me constantly of the land of Evangeline, and our good times there.”
The big South Station was filled with hurrying people when they entered, but Jim and the other two boys who had been watching for them were at their side almost at once.
“The train is made up here,” said Jim, giving Nancy’s bags to a redcap; “so you can get on immediately.”
It was a very long train; and they walked some distance along the platform before they reached their car. The boys settled the party in their chairs, and presented magazines, fruit, boxes of candy, and books; then sat down to visit until it was time to get off.
“My goodness,” cried Martha, looking at the offerings, “you boys must have thought we were going to be a week on the train.”
“Oh, no,” replied Griff quickly. “We gave them so you wouldn’t be weak.”
“Terrible! Terrible!” groaned John Pierce. “Don’t give us any more like that.”