"Let's make it a race," suggested Cora, her dark eyes flashing in
anticipation.

Jack glanced at Walter. The relations between him and Sid were
rather strained. As for Ida--well, Ida was credited with "running
after Walter," and the sentiment of lads toward such girls is too
well known to need describing.

"Oh, yes! Do let us race!" chimed in Bess. "It would be such fun!"

"All right," agreed Jack. "That is, if Sid is, willing."

"Will you race, Sidney?" called Cora, before the occupants of the
yellow car had had time to greet the others.

"Yes, certainly," he assented. "I would like nothing better."

"Then we'll have to handicap the girls," suggested Walter. "They
have by far the fastest machine."

"But it's brand new," objected Cora, "and isn't tuned up yet, as the
two runabouts are. Besides, look who we are--girls."

"Very charming ones, I'm sure," said Sid quickly, but, somehow, his
voice did not ring true.

"Handicap," spoke Walter. "I suppose it's right, but you see
--er--we fellows could--" He was floundering about for a way of
saying that the girls should not be penalized by giving the drivers