Miss Stuart allowed herself to be persuaded into accepting Mr. Latham's invitation. Life on the hill was growing a bit dull for Miss Sallie. She dreaded the long trip, but Mr. Latham's place lay between their hill and the town of Lenox.
Mollie came into the room as Ruth ran out to deliver the note of acceptance. "Who is out there?" she inquired languidly. The little girl was not yet rested from her experience of the day before.
"We are invited to the Latham place this afternoon, Molliekins!" Bab explained.
"Are you going, Miss Sallie?" Mollie asked.
Miss Stuart nodded. "Yes, I think so, child," she declared. "It is a dreadfully long journey, but Ruth is determined to go, and I am as wax in her hands."
"Aunt Sallie Stuart, you are no such thing!" Ruth laughed, as she returned to the little group. "I am the most obedient niece in the world. You know you liked Mr. Latham. And he has a marvelous place, with a wonderful fish pond on it. From his veranda he says you can see over into four states, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont!"
"Well, girls, we will start promptly after an early lunch," Miss Stuart remarked.
"Miss Sallie," interrupted Mollie gently, "remember I am in the guard house for the next twenty-four hours. I broke all camp regulations by being lost yesterday. So I can't go with the party to Mr. Latham's."
"Nonsense, Mollie!" said Miss Stuart kindly. "I was only joking when I threatened to establish military discipline in my camp. Besides, if you were disobedient, you were well enough punished for it. Don't you wish to come with us?"
Mollie shook her head. "If you don't mind, Miss Sallie, I would rather not," she replied. "I am a little tired and I would rather stay quietly up here. You can count on my promise this time. I won't go more than a yard from the cabin. Naki and Ceally will both be here to look after me."
"I will stay with Mollie," spoke up Bab. "I prefer not to leave her alone."
Mollie protested energetically. "Bab, you must not stay behind with me. If you insist on doing it, I shall go with you, no matter how tired I feel. You know you are the one original lady rescuer of an airship yet on record! I was only the legs of the rescue, as I ran after Naki and Ceally. You were the brains of the whole business. Besides, you know you are simply dying to see Reginald Latham's airship models, as well as their beautiful house and grounds. Make her go, Miss Sallie!" Mollie ended.