On the following Saturday The Merry Five separated. Molly, Kirke, and Weezy went back to Santa Luzia for a fortnight, and then the Rowes and the Bradstreets returned together to Silver Gate City.
“It seems nice to be at home again after all, mamma,” said Molly a few mornings after this. “I’ve missed my wheel dreadfully. Have you any errands to-day?”
“Oh, yes, Molly. Donald needs the frocks Mrs. Carillo has been making for him. I wish you’d ride over to her house and get them.”
“May I ask Polly to go along, mamma?”
“If you like. But I can’t have any ‘scorching,’ dear; and remember that you two girls are not to race.”
“We won’t race, mamma. But oh! racing is such fun! you don’t know.”
As Molly guided her bicycle down the steps of the veranda, there was a shadow on her brow. She could ride very well, even better than Pauline. Why need her mamma be so cautious about “scorching”?
Mrs. Rowe must have observed the shadow; for she followed Molly out upon the veranda, adding tenderly,—
“I know this, dearie, that your papa and I cannot afford to have you reckless. You are our mainstay, Molly.”
“Your mainstay, mamma? Am I?”