"No, indeed, father does not allow us to drive." "I'll give you a push," he said very obligingly, and came at once to their assistance. He frowned a little when he saw the car in gear, and the brakes set, but he released them without comment, and the girls helping bravely, the disgraced red car was moved out of the main road. "Shall I tow you back to town?" The girls winced visibly. Be towed home in disgrace--rather would they sit there and freeze and starve and die of hunger and thirst forever. "Oh, no, thank you. We'll just wait for father." "Where is your father?" "He isn't here just now," said Zee faintly. So the man drove slowly away, looking back now and then. The girls, in spite of the dust, did not sit in the car. They would not trust themselves alone in that car under any circumstances. Instead they went soberly up the bank and sat down again, side by side. Once in a while Zee wiped her pale brow wearily. "Such a life," she muttered once. "Here comes something now," said Treasure, looking hopefully down the road toward town. "Maybe it is father." "Horseback rider." "I hope he does not offer to tow us home." "If he does, I shall tell him to mind his own business." As the rider drew near, the girls leaned forward and studied his features. "He will laugh at us," said Treasure sadly. "That is worse than offering to tow us home. It is that horribly sarcastic Curious Cat that kept the Crab from arresting us when we trespassed on his ugly old ditch." Zee flipped over on the ground and buried her face in her hands. "I will not look at him. Tell him I am dead, tell him-- Tell him anything, but I can not let that hateful old thing look at me and grin." "Zee," begged Treasure, "sit up and be decent. I can't talk to him. Sit up, and help me." Zee was obdurate. So Treasure, determined not to face the Curious Cat without support, turned her back to the road and gazed off over the landscape. The rider drew up beside the car, and stopped his horse. He looked intently at the two girls, who saw him not--except from the very tip tails of their eyes. Then he examined the car, whistling cheerfully--and his whistle was more aggravating than his laughter, if such a thing could be. He got off his horse presently and slipped the bridle over a fence post. Then he carefully inspected the bent fenders, and looked at the engine. And then--wasn't he the most infuriating thing you ever saw in your life?--from the pocket of his riding coat he pulled a package of milk chocolate, and sauntered over to the bank where the girls still sat, oblivious of his presence. He flung himself on the ground near them and began nibbling the chocolate. Treasure's lips trembled with the shame of it. Zee twisted the toes of her shoes into the ground in impotent fury. The Curious Cat ate deliberately, soulfully, complacently, and tossed his hat to the ground, laying his head comfortably on his arm, his face toward the girls.