No, thank you," said Patty, "I don't want to get out, but I would like
to stop a minute or two in one of them."

Roger would willingly have granted Patty's wish, but he was deprived of
this privilege by the car itself. Just as they neared a small settlement
known as Huntley's Corners, another ominous sound from the machine gave
warning.

"That belt again!" exclaimed Roger. "Patty, the probabilities are that
you'll have all the time you want to study up this village, and even
learn the life history of the oldest inhabitant."

"What an annoying belt it is," said Mrs. Farrington in her pleasant way.
"Don't you think, Roger dear, that you had better get a new belt and be
done with it?"

"That's just what I do think, Mother, but somehow I can't persuade myself
that they keep them for sale at this corner grocery."

The car had reached the only store in the settlement, and stopped almost
in front of it.

Patty was beginning to learn the different kinds of stops that a
motor-car can make, and she felt pretty sure that this was not a
momentary pause, but a stop that threatened a considerable delay.

She said as much to Roger, and he replied, "Patty, you're an apt pupil.
The Fact has paused here not for a day, but for all time, unless
something pretty marvellous can be done in the way of belt mending!"

Patty began to think that accidents were of somewhat frequent occurrence,
but Elise said, cheerfully, "This seems to be an off day. Why, sometimes
we run sweetly for a week, without a word from the belt. Don't we,
Roger?"

"Yes, indeed," said Roger, "but Patty may as well get used to the seamy
side of motoring, and learn to like it."

"I do like it," declared Patty, "and if we are going to take up our abode
here for the present, I'm going out to explore the town."

She jumped lightly from the car, and, accompanied by Elise, strolled down
the main, and, indeed, the only street of the village.

CHAPTER XII

OLD CHINA

A few doors away from the country store in front of which the automobile
stood, the girls saw a quaint old house, with a few toys and candies
displayed for sale in a front window.

"Isn't it funny?" said Elise, looking in at the unattractive collection.
"See that old-fashioned doll, and just look at that funny jumping-jack!"

"Yes," said Patty, whose quick eye had caught sight of something more
interesting, "but just look at that plate of peppermint candies. The
plate, I mean. Why, Elise, it