"Well, all we can do is wait for some one to return," said Shirley.
As the minutes passed, each seemingly more slowly than the one that had gone before, the fright of the girls increased.
An hour passed and still Mrs. Sebastian had not returned.
Shirley was about to speak, when they heard the sounds of footsteps outside and the doorknob turned. The door opened and Mrs. Sebastian stepped in smiling.
"I had no idea I had been gone so long," she exclaimed. "Why didn't you call me? You have been as quiet as mice."
Shirley and Mabel each drew a breath of great relief.
"Then you didn't lock us in purposely?" asked Mabel.
"The door was locked and we couldn't get out. That's why we were so quiet," replied Shirley, laughing. "We thought you had locked us in."
"The idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Sebastian. "The door locked?" She approached and examined it. Then she looked up with a smile. "Why, the catch is on," she exclaimed, smiling. "And were you frightened?"
"No, not much," replied Mabel slowly. "We knew it must have been locked accidentally."
"Of course," replied the woman. "Now would you care to wash up a bit? Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."
The girls nodded and the woman led the way. Fifteen minutes later all were seated in the cozy dining room, where Shirley and Mabel had their first introduction to Mexican cooking.
Each girl sampled everything that was placed before her, and in spite of their efforts to try and enjoy the meal, disappointment was written large on their features. Mrs. Sebastian noticed this and laughed, while the donna and her husband smiled slightly.
"So you don't like the Mexican dishes," said Mrs. Sebastian.
"Well, they are a little too hot for me," said Shirley, somewhat ruefully.
"Try some of these tortillas," said the man, "perhaps you will find them to your liking, though they are warm."
The girls tried some, but with no better result. They finally gave up in despair.
The meal over, Mrs. Sebastian led the way back to the other room, which apparently was the parlor. Here all sat down to talk and the girls spent a very pleasant afternoon.
Finally Shirley looked at her watch. "What time did Captain Anderson say we would leave?" she asked of Mrs. Sebastian.
"Soon after five o'clock," was the reply. "Why?"