mmediate possession of them and hustled them, willy-nilly,
into the car, despite their vehement protestations that they must say
"good-byes" to "lots of people."

"They'll be here when you get back," Phil argued, "and mother's already
been waiting half an hour. Time's up!" And off they went with great noise
and laughter and waving of hands to the group on the porch.

"Oh, what a perfect day!" cried Lucile, settling back between Evelyn and
Jessie in the tonneau. As usual, Mr. Payton was in front with the driver,
the three girls were squeezed tightly in the rear seat, Mrs. Payton
occupied one of the collapsible seats, and Jack and Phil--well, they were
anywhere they could get.

Jack had earlier proposed the use of his two-seater for Lucile and
himself, but Mr. Payton had demurred, smilingly preferring
"safety-first."

But now, the floor of the machine being not the most comfortable place in
the world, Phil objected. "Say, Dad, why don't you let Jack take Lucy in
his car? He's a fine driver, and he'd stick close to us all the time."

"I think it would be safe enough," Mrs. Payton added. "Mr. Turnbull says
he has driven the car for years."

Mr. Payton hesitated, giving the command to slow up, nevertheless. "Well,
perhaps it would be better," he agreed at last, but very reluctantly; "if
you will promise to stay close to us all the time." This last to Jack.

Jack promised readily and happily, and they turned back. A few minutes
later they were on their way again, everybody comfortable, everybody
happy, especially Lucile and Jack.

"I didn't dare hope for this," he whispered, as they followed in the wake
of the big touring car. "The hat's class!" he added, admiringly.

So the morning was spent in touring the great city. The girls were
fascinated by the noise and bustle, the number and magnificence of the
public buildings, and, most of all, by the gay little restaurants and
cafes lining both sides of the broad boulevards.

"Imagine this at night!" said Jack, hugely enjoying Lucile's unaffected
delight in everything she saw. "Can't you just see the lights spring up
and the theater crowds gathering?"

"And we are going to see it all!" cried Lucile, clapping her hands and
fairly dancing with delight. "Oh, Jack, I simply can't wait; I can't!"

Noon had come and passed. They had luncheon in a wonderful little
restaurant near the Rue de la Paix, where they had enjoyed to the full of
music and "all that," and now the two