Miss Campbell had shrieked and covered her face with her hands to shut out the dreadful sight of Billie being trampled to death. But Billie had a cool head and a brave heart, and such excellent qualities make a wonderful combination. The other girls jumped out of the car and hastened to the farmer, while across the fields farm hands came running from every direction.
The young man had only lost consciousness for a moment, and when his foot was disentangled from that diabolical loop, he was able to stagger to his feet.
"Are you much hurt, Mr. Moore," demanded two of the men supporting him on either side, while two others relieved Billie of the excitable Pocohontas.
"Only a sprain," he answered. "This brave young lady has saved my life."
"I'm afraid our motor car caused all the trouble," exclaimed Billie. She never said "my motor car." Her friends often noticed this. But she had been brought up by a very genuine and fine man, and was as modest and simple as her father himself.
"You had better get into the car and let us take you home," said Miss Campbell who had recovered from her fright.
For the second time since they left Chicago, they now found themselves giving a lift to a strange young man. In another five minutes the Comet drew up at the front door of a big frame farmhouse painted white, with green shutters. Everything about it was exceedingly neat, although there was a certain emptiness in the prospect, perhaps because there were no flower beds in the yard and also no curtains at any of the windows which stared down at them like so many eyeless sockets. However, they were rather surprised when the front door was opened by a Japanese butler in a white linen suit. A second Japanese servant followed and they assisted their master out of the motor car.
"Ladies," said Mr. Moore, his face twitching with the pain of his sprained leg, "may I ask you into my home. It will be a great pleasure and honor, I am sure. My name is Daniel Moore. I am a lonely bachelor farmer, and I shall take it as a particular compliment if you will join me at lunch."
"But I am afraid you are in great pain, Mr. Moore," protested Miss Campbell.
"Not in the least, I assure you, madam. My leg is only a little twisted. I shall be walking on it in an hour. You just now confessed that you were hungry. So am I. Takamini, luncheon for six."