If Mrs. Cook was astonished to see them, it was nothing to Peggy’s surprise at finding her here. “Mrs. Cook!” she exclaimed. “I thought you were staying at one of the hotels—”
“Oh, no, we’ve had this house for years, only one on the island.”
Now the little group knew that they had crashed on one of the little private islands in the middle of the lake. Within minutes the story was told and Mrs. Cook had given them all warm bathrobes and hot drinks, fussing over them as if they were her own children.
“Now, all of you get some real rest,” she commanded, showing Peggy and Mary into her own room and giving Michael the couch. “We’ll talk about everything later after you’ve had some sleep!”
As she gratefully snuggled down under the warm covers on the comfortable bed, Peggy sleepily wondered why they hadn’t seen Mr. Cook. But she was too tired to think for more than a moment. Almost immediately she dropped off into a deep, dreamless sleep, utterly exhausted.
XIV
Ups and Downs
Hours later Peggy awoke to the sound of rain beating on the windows and a whining wind that lashed the tree tops mercilessly. It was a bleak world, dark as evening, and it was only noon. Mary and Michael had been up for some time, and Peggy found them in the living room, chatting with Mrs. Cook, who had prepared a hearty breakfast for everybody.
“Peggy—good!” Mrs. Cook said as she saw her emerging from the bedroom. “I was going to wake you any minute. You must be ravenous.”
“I am,” Peggy admitted, sitting down at the table Mrs. Cook had set in front of the fireplace. “A fire in the summertime! It doesn’t seem possible.”
“Well, when these storms come up it can get good and chilly here. The dampness goes right through you.” Mrs. Cook smiled.