JOAN stared into her half-packed trunk with a worried expression. If only she could know what the weather would be! Should she take her flannel coat and skirt? Should she take any light suits at all, or would it be enough if she only had warm things?
"Joan, I can't find my new bedroom slippers; I've looked everywhere. Where have you put them?" came Mrs. Ogden's voice from across the landing.
"Oh, do wait a minute, Mother! I'm trying to think out what to take; I can't find your slippers for a minute or two."
There ensued an offended silence. Joan straightened her aching back and sat down to consider. It might be hot at Lynton in May. It had been very hot last year, but that was in the middle of a heat wave, whereas now—still, on the whole, she had better take her grey flannel, it wasn't a bulky thing to pack. She took a piece of paper from her pocket and began to study a list. "Travel in brown tweed, old coat and skirt, brown shoes and stockings and grey overcoat." What hat should she leave out? Perhaps the old blue one; anything was good enough, it was always a dirty journey. She referred to the list again. "Pack six pairs stockings, three pairs gloves, four vests, three nightgowns, blue serge suit, two pairs shoes, one pair slippers." She ticked the articles off on her fingers one by one. Her mauve dinner dress was rather shabby, she remembered, but that couldn't be helped; she must make out with a black skirt and low-necked blouses, for a change.
"Joan, I can't lift my bag down from the top of the wardrobe; I do wish you'd come here."
"Oh, all right," sighed Joan, getting up.
They had been packing for several days and yet nothing was finished; the next morning they were to start at seven in order to catch the express in London.
"Where's the medicine bag?" Joan asked anxiously.
Mrs. Ogden shook her head. "I don't know; hasn't it been got out? I suppose it's in the cupboard under the stairs."
They routed out the bag from its dusty lair and began to sort bottles. "Joan, you must not go on taking that bromo-seltzer after what Major Boyle told us."