hood of the automobile is wrecked.
There is no motor left, and no radiator. Just junk, mixed up with broken
wood and leaves and pieces of the stucco and tiles of the garage."

So there was to be no going tonight from the house beside the lake. A
frustrated group, we stood amid our preparations; the two girls wearing
cloaks and hats for the drive that would never be taken. Had we ever
really expected to go? Already the project was fading into the realm of
fantastic ideas, futile as the pretended journeys of children who are
kept in their nursery. Desire lifted her hands and took off the blue
velvet cap with a resignation more expressive than words. Only my
practical little cousin charged valiantly at all obstacles.

"We aren't ever going to give up?" she cried protest. "Cousin Roger?
Ethan? _You_ cannot mean to give up. Why--'phone to the nearest garage
to send us another car. If we pay them enough they will drive anywhere.
Or if they cannot take us to New York, they will take us to the railroad
station where we can get a train for some place. Can't we, Drawls?"

"We could," Vere admitted. "I'd admire to try it, anyhow. But the
telephone wire came across the place right past the garage, you
know----"

"The tree tore the wire down, too?"

"I'm afraid it snapped right in two, Phil."

"We--we might walk," she essayed.

But even her brave voice trailed into silence as she glanced toward the
black, dripping night beyond the windows.

"Or if we found a horse and wagon," she murmured a final suggestion.

Vere shook his head.

"Come!" I assumed charge with a cheerfulness not quite sincere. "None of
us are ready for such desperate efforts to leave our cozy quarters here.
Especially as I fancy Vere's 'earthquake' was the tremor of an
approaching thunderstorm. I felt it, myself. Let us light all the lamps
and draw the curtains to shut out the fog which has got on everyone's
nerves by its long continuance. We are overwrought beyond reason.
Suppose we sit here together, strong in numbers, for the few hours until
daylight? I think that should be safeguard enough. Tomorrow we will do
all we had planned for tonight. Come in, Vere, and close the door."

He obeyed me at once. Desire Michell passively suffered me to unfasten
and take off the coat she wore, too heavy for such a night. She had
uttered no word since Vere announced the destruction of the car. She did
not speak now, when I put her in the low chair beneath the lamp.