all assured him everything was all right, so with a few rumbles and jerks the car responded to Yamoto’s coaxing. Only Yamoto seemed to be able to handle the temperamental old car. Welton Duer had threatened time and again to sell it for junk, but at the mere suggestion of such a thing Yamoto looked pained. For, although his duties were primarily to keep the Lodge running smoothly, he prided himself on his knowledge of all things mechanical. And a good thing it was, too, since Welton’s patience became sorely tried when the toaster didn’t work or the clock was slow. Contrariwise, he could study a single fossil or ancient inscription for hours at a time without losing his zeal if he could not solve its problems.
Yamoto had also added supervision of Patty and Jo to his list of duties. He had quickly grown attached to them, liking their adventurous spirits. The twins had returned his friendship, aware of his loyalty to them. His watchful eye was always upon them, ready to protect or defend if necessary. Had the girls known this, however, it is possible they would have resented it slightly, since they loved to do things that might seem a bit dangerous in the eyes of others. Yamoto’s silent ways were never without purpose they had soon learned.
A crisp breeze told the occupants of the car that they were nearing the lake and Harker’s Cove. Then they were flying along the cliff road and presently the Lodge driveway made a gap in the trees on the left. They could see Mrs. Gruber on the porch looking a little less morose than was usual for her.
“Well, I’m glad to see you arrived safely,” she greeted them. “Your train must have been a little late for I’ve been watching for you some time now. Come in, come in, I’ve had lunch all ready for you. I hope it hasn’t been spoiled by being held back this way.”
“I’m sure it will be fine, Mrs. Gruber,” said Mavis soothingly. “We’re all famished.”
“She hasn’t changed a bit,” Jo whispered to Pat and giggled softly.
“Sh-h-h. She’ll hear you,” cautioned Pat.
“If you’ll each take one of these bags into your room, we can eat right away,” said Welton, as he came up behind them with his hands full of luggage. “Yamoto and I will manage the rest.”
“Okay.” Both girls seized their own suitcases and followed Welton into the house. In their room they saw that either Yamoto or Mrs. Gruber had thoughtfully placed a vase of fresh flowers on the chest of drawers. It was a cheerful room with the June sun streaming in the windows. They swiftly combed their hair, freshened themselves a little and joined Mavis and Welton for lunch.
The twins were surprised to find they were more than a little tired from their trip. They quickly accepted Mavis’ suggestion of a nap after lunch.
“That will give me a chance to get some work done. My bones are waiting,” Welton joked, in reference to his fossil collections.
“Then we’ll leave you alone for an hour or so,” his wife answered.
It was a pleasant feeling to sink down into comfortable beds once more, the twins thought. Although they had both completely enjoyed the journey home, as Pat remarked, “It’s wonderful not to have to brace your feet against the lurches of those pullmans.” Voices in the living room roused the girls from their nap later in the afternoon. They went out to find that Dick Prentiss and his mother were engrossed in conversation with Mavis and Welton. The Prentisses had just returned from a trip East by automobile and had been present at the twins’ graduation.
“This is a surprise. We thought you wouldn’t be back for another week,” Jo greeted them.
“Hi, twins. We made better time than we expected to,” Dick answered. He stood up, smiling warmly, to greet the girls. He was a tall, good-looking boy of about eighteen, who had been Welton Duer’s fishing and hunting crony since he was a youngster.
“We came over first thing,” Dick went on. “Had to give you a welcome typical of this fair community.” He spread his arms out expansively.
“Dick couldn’t wait to let you get settled,” his mother said, turning to explain to Mavis who sat beside her in the couch. “I hope you’ll excuse his overwhelming enthusiasm for your twins here. My stars, I never knew him to take such a liking to a pair of girls this way.”
Dick grinned back a little sheepishly at his mother, but was quick to remark, “These kids aren’t the usual sort, you know, Mom. Welty found that out, didn’t you?”
And now it was Welton’s turn to look embarrassed, for he had insisted that there was no place in his life for “women with a capital letter” as he phrased it. Instead of answering Dick’s question, he said, “Why don’t you young upstarts just take yourselves out of here? Isn’t it the limit, Mrs. Prentiss, the way the younger generation shows no respect for its elders?” He glowered at the three, but the hint of laughter in his voice did not convince anyone that he meant what he had said.
“I know when I’m not appreciated,” Dick retorted, assuming an air of injured pride. “If you brought your swim suits, girls, let’s go down to the beach.”
“Isn’t it a little early in the season for swimming?” Mavis looked a little concerned. “Pat and Jo aren’t used to the chilly waters of our lake, and that sun isn’t making it as warm as it appears to be.”
“I went in for a dip this morning to test it for you. Nope, it’s fine if you don’t stay in too long, and we won’t.”
“Well, then, run along and have a good time.”
As the three left the Lodge chattering simultaneously, Mavis laughed and turned back to face Mrs. Prentiss. “Welty tries so hard to play the role of a disciplinarian, though I’m afraid he’s no actor.”
“You’ll do well to take lessons in managing these young adults from Mavis, Welton. She speaks their language.”
“But she’s just like one of them, that’s the trouble,” Welton grumbled. He put his arm around Mavis’ shoulder to show he really didn’t mind. “It only adds to the problem. I have three children instead of just two. I—I give up.”
“Take my advice and let Mavis handle them,” Mrs. Prentiss insisted. “Now, where were we?”
“The party,” Welton reminded her. “All you want me to do is to devise some scheme to get Jo and Pat out of the way while you make the arrangements, right?”
“Yes, dear.” Saying this, Mavis stood up and walked in the direction of the dining room. “That way they won’t possibly suspect that we’re planning a surprise for their birthday. And you know what suspicious natures they have!”
“How old did you say they were going to be?” Mrs. Prentiss asked.
“Seventeen. Now, since everything’s settled, let me get you a cup of tea.” Mavis turned and walked through the dining room to the kitchen where she found Mrs. Gruber had already set out the tea things.
Meanwhile Patty and Jo were sampling the offerings of the small lake resort. It was quite a long walk from the Lodge to the beach. The path led them down the side of the cliff in a winding course made necessary because of the almost sheer drop. Here and there small outcroppings of earth and rock leveled the path somewhat and provided space for the growth of scrub pines.
Dick led the way, showing little regard for the hazards of the tortuous trail. He seemed more or less to be leaving the girls to manage as best they
