Ruth," returned Jim, trying to peer out and see the
baggage; "I strapped 'em on good and tight before we left."

"Well, it happens to be my suitcase that's on top, and I'm sure I don't
want to lose it," declared Ruth.

"Maybe we'd better stop and make sure about it; we can soon catch up
with Verny again," suggested Judith.

So Jim sprang out to investigate. "The suitcases are all right, Miss
Ruth, but somethin's wrong in the back all right."

At that Ruth jumped out and joined the man. "What is it?" asked she,
anxiously.

"The sag in that spring 'pears to me to say it is about done for. We'll
have to travel slow till we find a garage."

"For mercy's sake! Didn't you and Pa's chauffeur overhaul both the cars
thoroughly when you knew we were going on this trip?"

"Your father sent this machine to the garage in Elmertown, 'cause he
said they'd know how to do the job up better'n us," explained Jim.

"Then it serves Dad right if he has to pay for a new spring! The idea of
trusting strangers with his car at this important time! But here we are
with a wornout old spring on our hands!" cried Ruth, stamping her foot
impatiently.

"Oh no, Ruth, not on our hands--but what is ten times worse--on the rear
end of the car," laughed Hester.

"Well, we've got to go slow, I suppose, and stop somewhere to replace
the old thing," grumbled Ruth, climbing back in the car.

"If 'Liza knew of this mischance, wouldn't she gloat over her 'Friday
Bad Luck' prophecy?" laughed Ann.

Jim started again, but carefully avoided the ruts and bumps in the road
until he came to a large garage. Fortunately for all, they found a new
spring in stock and the men were soon at work replacing the bad one.

"Hurrah for us Jinx-breakers! This bit of luck in finding a new spring
on hand more than offsets a Friday curse," gleefully cried Ruth.

"You young ladies sure are lucky, but it will take some time to do the
work, an' you may as well take a walk and see our nice Jersey town,"
suggested the proprietor of the garage.

The scouts followed this sensible advice and stopped at a shop where
they treated each other to soda, candy, and peanuts. There being nothing
more thrilling to do, they sat down in the Park and ate the plebeian
delicacy and talked.

"I love peanuts, don't you?" Anne asked of the girls.

"Yes, but they have to be enjoyed away from home, or folks will make fun
of you," added Ruth.

"Not any more, Ruth. When a five-cent bag of pe