Ida smiled at this. It was evident that she could not resist after
this appeal--especially as it came from Walter, who found much favor
in her eyes.

Ida climbed into the big car nimbly enough, and sat on the thick
cushions in the roomy tonneau beside Mary.

"I guess she'd rather be in front," remarked Bess in a whisper to
Belle, but she took care that Jack should not hear.

Walter started Cora's car off, and Sid's followed, with himself at
the wheel, looking very glum. Jack brought up in the rear with the
pretty twins.

The Whirlwind easily towed the weight of the disabled runabout, and
the autoists were soon approaching town.

"Let me out at the post-office, please," begged Mary of Cora, as
they rolled through the village streets. "I had better not let madam
see me out riding."

"Why, she gave you permission, didn't she?" asked Cora in surprise.

"But I would rather get out here," insisted Mary, not answering the
question directly.

"If you'll cast me loose, I'll run my machine in this shop,"
suddenly called Sid, as they passed a rather tumble-down shack on a
side street.