The Motor Girls on the Coast Part 22

"Oh, I guess we will," a.s.sented Cora. "That is, if you get my car up. I didn't think, when I ran it down, that the sand was so deep."

"We'll look after it--don't worry, Sis," said Jack.

While the girls and the two ladies went on to the larger bungalow, the boys managed, not without some work, to get Cora's auto up to the road again. Then it was run along, with the others, to the big bungalow, where there was a shed that would serve as shelter for the machines.

The boys carried in the girls' trunks and suit cases, and transported their own to their quarters. Then began a general "primping" time, as the supper hour approached.

"Oh, girls, isn't this just delightful?" exclaimed Cora, as she and the others entered what was to be their home for the summer.

"That window seat is a dear!" declared Belle, as she proceeded to "drape"

herself in it.

"And see the porch hammocks," called Bess, "slumping" into one.

"What a fine view of the bay we can get from here," added Eline, as she stood in the bow window, a most graceful figure. Cora, in spite of her damp shoes, had made a hurried trip through the bungalow to arrange, tentatively at least, as hostess, the different sleeping apartments.

"Oh, it's just the dearest place!" exclaimed Eline. "I know we will simply love it here."

"Now just put off your things, get comfortable, wash and comb if you like, and then the boys will be over to supper," said Mrs. Chester, when the girls had made a tour of the place.

"Gracious! Here they come now!" cried Belle, as she saw Jack and his friends tramping over the s.p.a.ce that separated the two bungalows.

The girls fled precipitately, for they had begun to lay aside their collars and loosen their hair. Then the two ladies took charge of matters, in the kitchen at least. The boys were bidden to remain out on the piazzas until invited in, and they sprawled in various att.i.tudes in chairs or hammocks.

Then the girls came down; there was noticed throughout the bungalow various savory odors, at which the boys grinned in delight. There was the clatter of plates, and the jingle of silver--more expansive smiles.

There were looks of pleased antic.i.p.ation. Then came the clanging of a bell.

"Supper!" announced Mrs. Chester, appearing in the door wearing a huge ap.r.o.n.

"That's us!" cried Jack.

"Oh, I've just thought of it!" exclaimed Cora in a low voice to Eline, as she walked beside her to the dining room.

"Thought of what?"

"The name 'Margaret!'"

CHAPTER XV

LAUNCHING THE "PET"

"Pa.s.s the olives again, please!"

"Aren't the lobsters delicious?"

"Are you referring to us?" Ed bristled up, and looked rather aggressively at Belle.

"If the net fits----" she murmured.

"Net being the sea-change from shoe," spoke Jack.

"Please pa.s.s the olives," came again from Bess, waiting patiently. "I've only had----"

"A dozen!" interrupted Ed.

"I have not!"

"Children!" rebuked Cora.

They were all at the supper table--I prefer, since we are now at sea, which makes so many equal--to call the late meal supper, in preference to dinner. No fisherman ever eats a "dinner" except at noon, and it was now well on to six o'clock. And they were making merry, were the motor maids and boys.

Mrs. Chester had made bountiful provision for the party and they were now enjoying it thoroughly. Over in the bungalow of the boys were ample supplies for days to come, though such as would not keep had been laid in sparingly.

"You girls certainly look nice enough to----"

"Eat, were you going to say?" asked Eline, who was particularly "fetching," to quote Norton, whereupon Jack wanted to know what it was she was expected to "fetch."

"Well, at least nibble at," remarked Walter. "Some of you don't look as though you would stand more than a nibble," and he looked particularly at Bess.

"Oh, but there is so much to do," sighed Cora, as she thought of the arrangements for the night. "We really must hurry through supper and straighten things out. Then we can rest to-morrow."

"It doesn't take you long to straighten out," said Ed, with a jovial smile. "One minute you're rescuing fat boys from the salty ocean, and the next you look as charming as--er--as----"

"As a mermaid," finished Walter.

"How do you do it?" Norton wanted to know. "This is the first long motor trip I've taken, and I'm wearing the collar of your brother, with the necktie of Ed. I can't seem to find a thing of my own."

"It is all done by system," said Cora.

"Hear! Hear!" cried Jack, English fashion. "Sis will kindly elucidate the system."

"Finish your supper!" ordered Cora. "We want you boys to help carry around some of our trunks. We're going to place them differently."

"More work," groaned Ed.

But the meal was finally over and the boys put the trunks in the rooms of the various girls. Mrs. Chester had engaged the wife of one of the Cove fishermen to come in to help with the house-work, so the two chaperones could leave the dishes to her while they helped the girls settle their apartments. The bungalow was of ample size, and they were sure to be comfortable.

The boys did some "straightening-out," but it was more honored in the breach than in the observance. When they wanted a thing they "pawed" over their suit cases until they found it, letting the other articles settle where they might.

They were all out on the porch, talking and laughing over the events of the day, Cora being called upon to recount her experiences in making the rescue.

"Cora," spoke Eline softly, when some of the motor boys and girls had voted for a stroll down to the beach, "what was it you meant when you said you recalled the name Margaret?"

"Oh, yes. I'm glad you spoke of that. Do you remember the name of the woman I found in the garage the night of the fire?"