slow to observe his interest. It was odd, thought Cora, how boys go
in for the romantic sort--and models!

"All ready?" called Jack again.

Ida shook her head. She looked critically at the clutch lever, from
her seat at the wheel, which Sid had relinquished to her. The lever
was not properly adjusted, and she called her companion's attention
to it.

Sid shifted it, and then Walter called from his seat beside Cora.

"All ready here!"

"It's about time," murmured Jack, jokingly.

The cars, which had been cranked, were "chug-chugging" away, and
vibrating with the speed of the unleashed motors. Three clutch
pedals were released, and the three cars moved forward. There was a
grinding of gears, as Ida threw in a higher speed. Her hand and ear
were not quite true, but to the surprise of the others her car
darted ahead. It was speedier than had been thought.

It was a beautifully clear road, and the machines were now fairly
flying along it. Bess clung desperately to the wooden rim of the
steering wheel of Jack's car.

"Keep her straight," he cautioned. "Don't work so hard at it. An
auto is like a horse--a light, firm touch is what it needs."