The girls fell into the plan with enthusiasm, and in a short time the cars were brought to the front of the house, and they were ready to start.
Joel stood by, looking on with lively curiosity, as Cora took the wheel.
“How about a little spin for a mile or two?” laughed Cora.
“Come along,” urged Cora, “and I’ll show you what fast going is really like.”
“Better make your will, Joel,” laughed Jack. “That sister of mine is some speed demon.”
“I’m afraid it will put ye out in yer plans,” objected Joel, though it was plain he was tempted.
“Not a bit of it,” returned Cora cheerily. “We have all day before us. The rest will stay here, while you and I go down the road for a mile or two and back.”
Joel looked at Mrs. King, and as she smiled her approval, he climbed clumsily into the car and sat in the back seat. Cora threw in the clutch, and the car started off.
“Hold on to your hair, Joel,” Jack shouted after him.
The road was fairly good right there, and Cora increased the speed until the car was going well.
Joel gasped and held on tight to the sides of the car. He had never traveled on anything faster than the little narrow-gauge railroad train that wheezed along at about ten or fifteen miles an hour. Now he was moving at the rate of forty or more.
After about two miles had been covered, Cora eased up and prepared to turn the car.
“How about it, Joel?” she asked mischievously, as she straightened out for home.
“It’s—it’s scrumptious, miss!” gasped Joel, “but ain’t ye feared ye’ll wreck yer car? Doesn’t seem’s if anything on four wheels c’u’d stand it.”
“Don’t worry about that,” replied Cora, and again Joel was treated to a burst of speed that set his heart thumping violently against his ribs.
It was with a sigh of relief that he climbed down from the car when it had come to a full stop.
“Sufferin’ cats!” exclaimed the old backwoodsman, as he faced his grinning audience, “I’ve faced b’ars an’ painters an’ catamounts, but I wuz never so plumb skeered in all my life!
“An’ to think uv a gal havin’ the spunk to drive like that!” he muttered to himself, as he made his way back to the barn. “She suttinly is some gal!”
“A little rich for Joel’s blood, I guess,” laughed Jack, as the gay party started off.