Chapter IX: Questions and Answers

"What do you know about that?"

"It's rather queer--all the way along."

Jack asked and Ed answered. They stood by the machine and looked up at the building into which the girl had gone.

"Well, I guess there's nothing for us to do but to see if there isn't some way to get to Fairport from here," remarked Jack, after a pause.

"That's it--and telephone. There's a drug-store across the street. It has a 'phone sign."

"Come on, then."

Presently they had been connected with the Mansion House, and Cora was at the other end of the wire.

"Oh, Jack, what happened?"

"We got lost--on the wrong road--that's all."

"Oh, Jack, I've been so worried!"

"Pshaw! What was the use? Didn't I ever get lost before?"

"Yes, I know----"

"You're too fussy, Sis. How's everybody?"

"All right--but----"

"But them as is wrong; eh? Well, we'll soon be with you. We had quite an adventure."

"You did? Were you hurt?"

"No, can't a fellow have an adventure without getting hurt? We met a pretty girl, and gave her a ride--that's all."

"Jack! You never did!"

"Oh, yes, we did. Ed's here, and he'll tell you all about it. It was a great time."

"Jack Kimball, I believe you're just teasing me! You're not in Hayden at all!"

"Where am I, then?" he challenged.

"Right in town, and just as like as not you're calling up from across the street here."

"Well, I'm not then. You ask central. We really were lost on the road, and had quite a time. I don't know now whether we can be with you to-night or not."

"Oh, Jack, you must!"

"But if we can't--we can't. If we can find a short cut we'll take it. Otherwise we'll stay here all night and come on early in the morning."

"Well, that will have to do then," said Cora, with a sigh. "Oh, but we have been so worried. Who was that girl, Jack?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"No."

"Does Ed?"

"Not guilty."

"The idea! And you gave her a ride?"

"Why not? We met her on the road--she was all alone--it was dark. What else could we do?"

"That's so, I suppose. Where is she now?"

"In the Y. W. C. A."

"Oh, that's all right then. Listen, you will try to come on to-night; won't you?"

"Sure, Sis."

"I'm so tired, and it's more of a responsibility than I thought it would be."

"Well, don't worry, Sis. We're going to get something to eat, and then we'll see what we can do."

"Eat! You don't mean to say, Jack Kimball, that you're going to stop to _eat_?"

"Well, I guess we are. Haven't had a bite since noon."

"Why can't you get dinner after you get here?"

"It might be more like breakfast than dinner if we waited," and Jack laughed. "No, we're going to eat here and then we'll see what we can do. Don't worry any more. The _Get There_ will go somewhere, anyhow. Now take it easy."

"All right. I will, only do try to come."

"Want to talk to Ed?"

"What for?"

"Oh, only to say 'how de do,'" and again Jack laughed.

"Certainly I'll speak to him."

Ed on the wire.

"Hello, Cora. It's all right. I listened to what Jack said."

"And it's all--I mean did you really help a girl?"

"Sure."

"Who was she?"

"That's telling. I've got her name, only Jack doesn't know."

"Don't you believe him," interjected Jack sideways into the transmitter.

"Try and make him come on to-night!" said Cora. "Your rooms are all engaged."

"I will. Are the girls all right?"

"Yes."

"And your cousin?"

"Surely."

"Walter making himself useful as he always does, I suppose?"

"Of course. Don't be silly."

"I'm not. I'm only trying to think of something else to say."

"You needn't try then!" and Cora's voice had a tint of snap in it.

"Don't get mad," Ed advised her. "Give my love to the girls, and tell 'em we'll be with 'em soon. Do you want to talk to Jack again?"

"No, only tell him to please come to-night. I want to talk to him."

"About that girl, I expect."

"I don't believe a word about her."

"Ha! I'll show you a lock of her hair."

"Then I'd surely know you were fooling. Say, listen, you will make Jack come; won't you, Ed?"

"Surest thing you know. Shall I say good-bye?"

"If you can't think of anything else to say."

"All right. See you soon."

"You'll have a sweet telephone toll to pay."

"I'm going to make Jack do it. He's asking the clerk here how to get to Fairport the quickest way. The clerk's another girl."

"Oh, I'm not going to talk another word. Good-bye," and a click in his ear told Ed that Cora had hung up the receiver. He laughed and joined Jack, who had gone away from the booth.