But Hazel said: "What do you suppose they are up to?"

"Trust them for fun," answered Cora. "I will simply trounce Jack
if he attempts to overhaul our stores."

Hazel laughed merrily. "If only Paul were along," she ventured.
"And, Cora, do you know that mailbag business is not by any means
settled?" she asked.

"I know that, girlie," said Cora with polite seriousness, "but all
troubles are tabooed on this ride, you know. Gertrude," to the
girl who had been looking and listening, "I appoint you monitor of
this car. The first girl to bring in troubles is to be fined."

"Very well," replied Gertrude, "I shall be glad to have something
to do. I feel like a stranger with those boys."

"That's because you do not know them," ventured Ray. "They are
perfectly splendid boys."

"Make a note of that," called Cora. "Gertrude, that is one mark
in favor of Ray."

The procession was winding along a pretty country road. Trees
closed in from side to side, and deep gutters outlined the
driveway from the footpath.

The boys had actually ceased their antics for the time, and it
occurred to more than one girl that this respite might have been