Seeing that the subject was unpleasant to Linda, Mr. Carlton never mentioned it to her again during her entire visit.
Three weeks passed happily, and her father was sitting up in his chair, when her aunt's restlessness became so apparent that Linda was willing to go back to Green Falls.
"You see I'm on the committee for Field Day, my dear," explained Miss Carlton, apologetically. "Besides, I hope you can take part in the events."
"How could I, Aunt Emily? I'm not in practice for golf or tennis, or any of the contests. I'm afraid I'd be a joke."
"I thought perhaps you might enter the airplane competitions," suggested her aunt, to Linda's consternation.
"Do you really mean it, Aunt Emily?" cried the girl, in delight. "Why, I'd adore that!"
"Well, we'll see what the program calls for. If it isn't anything too dangerous, like parachute jumping.... And another thing--it is very important for you to be on hand, because Louise is planning a surprise that you don't want to miss."
"Is she going to announce her engagement to Ralph Clavering, or Harriman Smith?"
"Not that I know of! She isn't engaged to Ralph, is she?"
"She wasn't when I last saw her. But absence often lends enchantment, you know!"
Miss Carlton looked searchingly into her niece's eyes, but she could see only laughter in them. "Wouldn't you mind a bit, Linda, if Louise married Ralph?" she inquired.
"Yes, certainly I'd mind," replied the girl seriously, "I don't think Ralph--or any other boy we know--is good enough for Lou!"
"Yes, that's all. Marriage is too serious for either of us--yet.... Now tell me, Auntie, what you meant by that surprise!"
"You wait and see! It's something you'll like."
Linda thought perhaps it was the delightful party that greeted her when she landed, three days later, at Green Falls. All of the old crowd were there to welcome her--Louise and Dot Crowley, the two Claverings, Jim Valier and Harriman Smith, Sara Wheeler, Sue Emery, Maurice Stetson, and Joe Sinclair. They presented her with a beautiful little silver airplane, a model for her desk, which served a useful purpose as a stamp-box. Miss Carlton, who had arrived the day before by train, had arranged an elaborate dinner for the whole party.
There was so much to talk about--the championships the young people were hoping to win, the airplane stunts for which two noted flyers had been engaged, the contests in flying that anyone with a private pilot's license might enter. In this last event they were all hoping to star Linda.