n't understand it--hanged if I do!"

But Jim vouchsafed no further comment. He only smiled and shook his
head.

CHAPTER V

THE CAMP IN THE MOUNTAINS

Old Bellvieu was early astir on Wednesday morning, the time set for
the departure. At four o'clock, when the darkness without was still
intense, Ephraim, who had been awakened by an alarm clock, went from
door to door of the big mansion, arousing the inmates.

The provisions and cooking utensils had been packed in baskets and
were setting in the front hall, ready to be carried to the automobile
when Gerald and Aurora should arrive. There was also a hamper
containing extra clothes for Aunt Betty, Dorothy and Molly.

It was two sleepy-eyed girls who came slowly down the back stairway
to eat hominy, biscuits and coffee, prepared by Chloe and Dinah in
the big kitchen--sleepy-eyed, because the chums had lain awake more
than half the night talking over old times. Molly's trip to
California had been told of to the most minute detail, and at the end
of the discourse Dorothy had started on her adventures at Oak Knowe.
Then to sleep at half past one, to rise at four!

It was no wonder Dorothy said, as they entered the kitchen:

"I feel like the last rose of summer. The next time you keep me awake
till nearly morning, Molly Breckenridge, I'm going to be revenged."

"The same to you, Dorothy Calvert," was Molly's retort. "You seem to
have no regard for my condition after my long journey here. I needed
rest, but you kept me awake all night with your constant chatter,
telling me things that did not interest me."

"I didn't!"

"You did!"

And so forth and so on. Then, when Chloe, Dinah and Metty, were
staring open-mouthed, impressed with the fact that the young ladies
had apparently descended in a very bad humor, both girls laughed,
threw their arms about each other's neck, and concluded their
performance with a resounding kiss.

"My, how affectionate!" said Aunt Betty, who entered at this moment.
"And what swollen eyes!"

"Why, isn't that strange?" asked Dorothy, assuming an innocent look.
"She says our eyes are swollen, Molly--and after all the sleep we
had, too."

Aunt Betty laughed.

"Do you think, my dears, I did not hear you talking 'way into the
night?"

"Oh, did you, auntie?"

"Yes; but it was your first night together, so I decided to say
nothing. But come; let us eat, for Gerald and Aurora will shortly be
here in the car."

The girls needed n