style," came from Sam, merrily. "Nothing like keeping the
Rover name up!" And he leaped on the running board and shook hands.
"Did you have a good trip?"

"Fine. Not a puncture," answered Dick.

"Oh, it was just too lovely for anything!" cried Dora. "If Dick had
the time I'd like to go on a tour for a month!"

"I thought maybe you fellows would like to get in and run over to
Hope," went on Dick, with a smile.

"You couldn't keep us out," answered Tom, promptly.

"We telephoned for them to be ready for us," said Dora. "But you will
have to take our baggage out, to make room."

"Here comes Songbird, he'll look after that, I know he will," said Sam.

The would-be poet came up all smiles and shook hands. He said he would
do anything they wished and at once took charge of the things. Several
others came up, including Spud and Stanley, and there was a general
handshaking and a rapid-fire of conversation. Then Sam and Tom got in
the automobile and away went the car in the direction of Hope Seminary.

"Want me to drive?" asked Tom.

"Tom, you'd better sit in the back with me," put in Sam, quickly.
"This is Dick's outing, let him run the car." He was afraid that if
Tom got his hands on the wheel he might do something to put the crowd
in danger.

"All right, I'm satisfied," was the ready answer and Tom sank back on
the cushions.

The touring car was a powerful one and Dick knew how to handle it to
perfection. Along the smooth road they rolled swiftly, only slowing
down at the turns and where the highway was not in a good state of
repair. Dora turned around to talk to the others, asking about the
college, and then spoke about those left at Cedarville and at Valley
Brook.

"Mamma is real well again," she said. "Better, in fact, than she has
been in a long while. I know she feels relieved to think that Dick can
now take charge of all of her affairs, and of my affairs, too."

"Dick is getting to be a business man fast," remarked Sam. "With your
affairs and Dad's affairs he must be having his hands full."

"Oh, the more the merrier," answered the oldest brother. "I like it
better than going to college." But as he spoke his face became very
thoughtful. Clearly Dick had something on his mind. He was not nearly
as talkative as usual, Sam soon noticed that and so did Tom.

Presently the touring car came in sight of Hope Seminary, nestling in a
pretty grove of trees. Two girls were down by the stone gat