elaborate gesture. "Charming weather we're having--my word!" Percy rather
inclined to English mannerisms--or what he thought were such.

"Hello, Sis--and the rest of you!" said Will, with a more hearty, and
certainly a more natural, air. "What's doing?"

"Grace was going to treat," said Amy slowly; "she is so good about
that--only--"

"Oh, girls! This is on me!" exclaimed Percy. "I shall be delighted. May I
have the honor?" and again he took off his hat with an elaborate bow.

"Shall we?" Betty telegraphed this question to her friends with her
eyes.

"Take the goods the gods provide," murmured Grace. "I can save my quarter
for another time."

With a rather resigned air Betty followed her chums into the drug store
and presently all were lined up before the marble-topped counter.

"The soda's delicious to-day," murmured Grace. "I've a good notion to get
some fudge," and she began toying with a little silver purse.

"Save your money for our club," advised Mollie. "Did you hear of our
expedition?" she asked Will.

"No, what's that? Are you going to try for the East or West pole?--seeing
that the North and South ones have been captured," and he laughed,
thereby getting some of the soda down his "wrong throat."