“However,” continued Mrs. Grant briskly, after a few minutes’ silence, “we cannot help Madelon by giving up our own plans. Lois suggests that the girls ask one of their friends to take Madelon’s place, since there are two staterooms reserved——”
“Martha!” cried Nancy and Jeanette in one breath.
“Let’s wire her right away!” exclaimed Nancy, jumping up.
“Just a minute,” protested Mrs. Grant, catching hold of Nancy’s arm. “Lois is unfortunately out on a case, and will be able to get off only in time to meet you girls at the boat. She closed the apartment for the rest of the summer, before she left, thinking that Madelon would be back to entertain you; but——”
“Oh, that’s all right; we can go to a hotel,” interrupted Nancy.
“Is it necessary to stay overnight in Boston?” inquired Mrs. Pembroke, anxiously.
“Is is if they go down by day,” replied her husband.
“And we want to,” said Nancy quickly. “I hate to travel at night. You never sleep well, and you don’t see a thing!”
“It will be all right,” said Mr. Grant. “They will have to learn how to look after themselves sometime. Why not begin now?”
“Good for you!” cried Nancy. “One would think we had never gone anywhere alone. Remember the Rideau? And way down to New Orleans? And we didn’t get into any difficulties. We may stay at the hotel overnight; mayn’t we, Moms?”