The next thing was what to do about the predicament? Would he better take her off at Jacksonville and wait for her father to claim her, or should he continue his journey with her to New York? What could he do with her then? He decided to leave it to the Bryces; they would have to arrange the details. His belief was that Wally would follow to Jacksonville, on receipt of the second telegram, so that would mean only the delay of a day for Jerry.
On his return to the other car, Isabelle's berth was still occupied. He read his paper, spent an hour in the smoking-room. Still she did not appear. All the other berths were made up, and the usual curiosity centred in the one late riser. Jerry decided not to be present at her entrance so he betook himself again to the smoker and stayed until noon.
When he returned this time, she was up and properly ensconced among her belongings. She smiled exuberantly, as Jerry came toward her, the focus of all eyes.
"Good-morning, Jerry dear. Isn't this jolly?"
"Oh, come off! Don't use that stage-father tone. I hoped you would be glad to see your little Cricket, Jerry."
"You may as well cheer up, because, glad or mad, you've got to see me."
"What on earth made you do such a crazy thing?"
"I couldn't stand it to be left alone with that dull bunch. I told you I'd come north with you, and I always do what I say I will."
"It must be comfortable to be so unhampered by consideration of others!"
"Certainly I don't want you. You have put me in a very uncomfortable position."
"What have I done to you, to make you displease me this way?"
"You've put a crimp in everything for me."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I thought we were good chums."
"Let's talk this over calmly, just as if I were your big brother. Maybe there is something I don't understand about it. In the first place, how did you manage it? How did you get on the train without being seen?"
"I came aboard as soon as the car was opened, and went to bed. I tried to get your upper, but you had bought the whole section. I wanted to pop my head down and say 'boo' at you this morning. But I must have gone to sleep because I didn't know when we started."
"Yes, of course. Don't you see that it does? I left a note for mother, saying I had run away with you, so I think you'll have to marry me, Jerry."