Mr. Parker escorted Mrs. Deline across the yard, introducing her first to Mrs. Weems and then to the girls.
“Mrs. Deline is riding with us to Sunset Beach,” he explained to Penny. “She intended to go by train but failed to get a reservation.”
“Coaches are so unbearable,” Mrs. Deline said in an affected drawl. “It was so nice of Mr. Parker to invite me to share your car.”
“I’m afraid it may not be so pleasant for you,” Penny replied. She tried to speak cordially but the words came in stiff little jerks. “There’s not much room.”
“Nonsense!” said Mr. Parker. “Mrs. Deline will ride up front. Penny, you’ll have to battle it out with the luggage.”
By the time Mrs. Deline’s suitcase and hat boxes were stowed away, there was indeed little room left in the rear seat for a passenger. Penny’s face was very long. For weeks she had planned on a vacation trip with her father, and now all her plans had been shattered.
“Will you be staying long at Sunset Beach?” she asked the widow politely.
“Probably a week,” Mrs. Deline replied. “I’ve engaged a suite at the Crystal Inn. I’m sure I couldn’t endure a camping trip. Mosquitoes—hard beds—cooking over a camp fire—it all seems rather difficult to me.”
“Oh, it will be fun to camp!”
“I’m not so certain of it myself.” Mr. Parker assisted the widow into the front seat. “Penny, why don’t we ditch this camp stuff and try a hotel ourselves?”