"Did she tell anything of herself?" asked Bess.

"She tried to, but mother would not hear of it until she is stronger.
I really think the poor thing was starving. She can't make much of a
living selling lace, though some of it is very beautiful," and Cora
picked up from the library door the length that had dropped from the
girl's hand.

"Wasn't it strange--that she should come in and seem so worked-up
over the mention of Sea Horse Island?" spoke Belle.

"It was," admitted Cora. "We shall have to find out about it
later--she was on the verge of telling us, when she fainted. But,
girls, if I am to go get Jack, it's time I started. Are you coming?"

"Suppose we go in our car," suggested Bess.

"You may want all the room you have to spare in yours, Cora, to bring
back some of his luggage. And perhaps some of the boys besides
Walter may come on from Exmouth with Jack. In that case--"'

"Exactly!" laughed Cora. "And if they do you want to be in a
position to offer them your hospitality. Oh, Bess! And I thought
you would be true to Jack; especially when he is so ill!"

"Cora Kimball! I'll--" but Bess, her face flaming scarlet, found no
words to express her, at least pretended, indignation. "Come on,
Belle," she cried. "We won't let a boy or young man ride in our car,
not even if they beg us!"