"Just because it has to be!" retorted Cora.

"But, girls, positively, I believe the weather is clearing! Yes,
there's a blue patch of sky. Oh, if this storm should be over!"

Her two chums came and stood by her at the casement. Off to the west
the dark and sullen sky did seem to be clearing. The rain had ceased
some time ago, but the wind was still blowing half a gale, and the
boys, who had come back from the docks a short while before, reported
that the sea was still very high, and that no ships had ventured to
leave the harbor. Then Jack and Walter went out again, saying they
were going to the marina, the water plaza.

"Oh, but it is going to clear!" cried Cora, in delight, an hour or so
later. "Now we shall hear some news of them!"

"Won't it be lovely!" exclaimed Bess. "Oh, I have been so worried!"

"So have I," admitted her sister. "But of course they are safe!"

"Of course," echoed Cora, and yet there was a vague fear within her--a
fear that, somehow or other, in spite of her effort for self-control,
communicated itself to her voice.

"Let's go out,"' suggested Belle. "I'm tired of being cooped up
here."

"Where are the boys?" asked Cora. "Really we oughtn't to go out so
much without them. We'll become talked about!"