it is only thirty miles."

"Yes, but," faltered Cora, "suppose you should have a breakdown on
that lonely road? There is neither station nor house from here to
the falls."

"What should break down?" asked Daisy. "This is papa's best
machine, if you mean it is not trustworthy."

"Oh, Daisy, dear, I had no idea of insinuating such a thing. Your
machine, of course, is just as trustworthy as any of the others.
But I was thinking how delightful it would be to spend the night
here. I really must confess to being broken up by that ram
accident," and Cora shivered slightly.

The girls looked at her in astonishment. Her words did not ring
true; Cora Kimball was a poor actress.

"If Cora wants to stay," said Tillie, "I should think you would
all agree. Cora is captain, is she not?"

"But our trip will be spoiled," wailed Maud. "I do wish I had
never come."

"Oh, if there is going to be real distress about it," said Cora,
evidently trying hard to pull herself together, "I suppose we had
best start. But remember, I have warned you. I have a
premonition that we will `run up against' something before night."

"Then I am not going," declared Hazel. "I won't stir one step.