"Why, yes, of course," replied Cora. "And he says she is deaf and
dumb. Who's calling? Didn't you hear some one?"
"Yes, there's Mabel Blake hurrying after us," said Belle. "She
looks excited."
The girl who was running along the path did indeed "look excited."
The motor girls waited.
"Oh, I thought I would never catch up to you!" Mabel panted. "You
do walk at such a pace!"
"Why, how are you, Mabel?" asked Cora graciously. "I heard you had
gone back to Chelton."
"We did intend to--but we haven't," she faltered. "Jeannette has
been ill."
"Ill!" exclaimed more than one voice.
"Yes, that's what I want to see you about. I don't know what to
do," and Mabel's pretty brown eyes filled to the lashes.
"Can we help you?" Cora asked.
"I would like to speak with you alone, Cora," she said. "But I know
what you did this afternoon, and I see you have still to change your
clothing."
"They are almost dry now," Cora replied. "Yet if you could wait
five minutes I could easily change in that time. Here we are. Home
again. And there! Nettie has heard all about our victories;
haven't you Nettie?"
"Indeed yes, Miss Cora. But I was afraid for you," replied the
maid. "The child's father sent a message up here to ask when he
might see you?"
"Oh, they make too much fuss over a trifle," replied Cora. "Sit
here on the porch with the girls, Mabel.
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