Treasure and Zee were in the garage, studying history in the roomy back seat of the red car. "Father is very pettish about some things," said Zee, suddenly banging the covers of the history together. "Why in the world does he always say we are too young to drive? He taught Doris, and she grips the wheel like mad--a very unprofessional thing to do, everybody says so. And he taught Rosalie, and she goes tearing along, smiling here and nodding there, and nearly runs over dogs and wagons and-- But he says we are too young, though you are very cautious, and I am smart for my age. I know perfectly well how she goes." They dropped their books on the floor and clambered over into the front seat, Zee at the wheel. "First you turn this little business, and then you put this sparker thing here, and bang down with your heel on that, and push out with your left foot, and pull this thing back into low, and give it the gas, and away you go, tralalalala." "That is right," said Treasure. "You do know, sure enough. I have watched them hundreds of times." "So have I," said Zee in a discontented voice. "But that's all the good it does. They won't let us, though we know how, perfectly well. Treasure, don't you think maybe father would let us drive if we could prove to him that we know how? He says we are too young to learn, but if we show him we have learned already he certainly wouldn't have much argument left." "Father is rather particular." "But think how useful it would be if we knew how--then if anybody should get sick, or die in a hurry, we could rush after father in the car, and--I am sure he would not object, if we could just show him. Let's practise by ourselves a little, and then he won't say a word. Think how surprised he will be." "Maybe you could not stop it." "Why, you just turn the key, that's all. It is perfectly simple. A child could do it. Look out and see if there is any one around, will you? I know I can do it." [Illustration: "Why, you just turn the key, that's all"] Treasure dutifully looked, and no one was in sight. "How surprised they will be. Won't we have the laugh on them when we come driving up to the door?" So Treasure opened the door of the garage and got in beside her sister again. Zee sat up very straight, and pursed her lips together. "First, turn the key." "Yes." Zee turned the key. "Now put the sparker business down in the middle." "Yes." Zee put it down. "Step on the starter." "Yes." Zee stepped on it. This produced a low aimless whirr, quite powerless. "Pull up that little flooder thing," said Treasure. "Father always does that." Zee pulled it to the tiptop, and banged her heel on the starter again. This time the enticing tug told her the engine had caught, and was ready for action. "Push with the left foot and put her in low," said Zee, between her teeth.