.
Ford consolingly. "We have all the luggage and wraps, too."

"Oh, that wouldn't make so much difference," denied Mollie, who was too
good a sportsman to make excuses for herself. "Betty's racer has the
speed, that's all."

"Well, they're just about out of sight now," said Amy, leaning back
resignedly. "I only hope Betty doesn't run into anything and have a
smash-up. She hasn't driven a car as much as you, Mollie."

"Oh, Betty'll take care of herself," said Mollie, though she was
slightly mollified by this tribute to her superior experience, if not
superior speed. "I guess," she added, after a moment's reflection, "I'd
better sell this old car and get a racer too."

Mrs. Ford laughed softly, the first time she had laughed or thought of
laughing since receiving the news of Will's being wounded.

"Don't go back on an old friend for its first offence, Mollie," she
chided, adding diplomatically: "A racing car is just fine for speed, but
I think your automobile is much more sociable and comfy."

"Well, I'm glad there's something nice about it," said Mollie, for she
had not yet recovered from her surprise and chagrin. "I hope," she
added, as a sudden thought struck her, "that Betty doesn't get too far
ahead. I don't know this part of the country very well and Betty has the
map."

"That will be the next thing," said Amy, with a sigh, and Mollie looked
at her sharply.

"What?" she demanded.

"Why, that we'll get lost," Amy explained. "Wasn't that what you meant?"

"Oh, I hope not," said Mrs. Ford, a little anxiously. "Perhaps we'll be
able to see them when we round this curve, Mollie."

But they rounded several curves, and still no sign of Betty's car. Then
happened what Mollie had secretly been fearing would happen. They came
to a crossroads and a sudden stop at one and the same moment.

"Now, what?" queried Amy, in the tone of resignation that never failed
to rub Mollie the wrong way. "Something the matter with the engine?"

"No, the engine's all right," snapped Mollie, adding, irritably: "But
everything else is all wrong."

"What, for instance?" queried Mrs. Ford soothingly. She knew that the
first defeat Mollie had ever experienced would be bound to rankle and
was prepared to make allowances. "If the engine is all right, why don't
we go on?"

"Which way?" queried Mollie, spreading out her arms with a hopeless
gesture. "There are two roads, one looks as good as the other, and we
haven't the slightest idea