A slight accident to the motor delayed them for a couple of hours at a garage, bringing them to the hotel in Atlantic City at something after five o’clock. Jack met them and informed them that the Hadleys had already arrived, and had gone to their rooms. They would meet in the lobby at six o’clock to go into the dining-room together. “Don’t say a word about our trip to the ranch, Lil,” pleaded Marjorie, as the girls were unpacking their suit-case. “I want to break it to him gently--in case he should be peeved.” “I know he’s going to be terribly disappointed,” said Lily. “But I’ll be very careful, Marj.” Reassured by her chum’s promise, Marjorie went gaily down to the lobby at the appointed time. John’s first words, however, took her somewhat aback; he had not forgotten her promise. “This certainly is jolly of your mother,” he said. “And more than I ever dreamed of. An extra week-end with you--besides our two weeks in August.” Marjorie winced at the reference, and closed her lips tightly. She could not tell him now, before all those people, that her plans were changed. So she merely smiled, and turned to Mrs. Hadley. Having secured permission for extra time off, Jack felt particularly gay, and acted as host of the party. Mr. Wilkinson noticed with what genuine courtesy he carried the thing off, and judiciously retired to the background. Indeed, it seemed as if the boy even regarded his father and mother as guests. The others of the party responded to his mood, and the meal was a jolly one. It was only when he announced that he had procured seats for Keith’s theatre that evening, that the girls found their spirits sinking. For Lily would have preferred to spend the time looking at the ocean, and Marjorie longed for the opportunity to have a tete-a-tete with John. But if the girls were disappointed at this announcement, they were dismayed at the young man’s next remark. All unconscious of the situation, he blurted out to John’s surprised ears the unwelcome news of the girls’ project. “What do you think of these wild girls, Hadley?” he asked, while they were all waiting for their dessert. “Imagine them strutting around in trousers all summer, on a ranch in Wyoming! I’ll bet they join the cowboys, and never come back!” “What? _What?_” demanded John, in a most perplexed tone. Marjorie had said nothing about any such plans. “Oh--haven’t the girls told you yet? Well, there hasn’t been much time. Still--I thought you and Marj kept up a steady correspondence!” “The steadiness is all on my side,” replied the young man, quietly. Then, louder, “No, I didn’t know a word about it. Tell me!” Marjorie hastened to relate all there was to tell: her father’s desire to plan something particularly nice for her for this vacation, Mrs. Remington’s suggestion, and the Girl Scout party. John said nothing about his shattered hopes, but Marjorie saw that the slight had cut deeply. If only she had written to him! But it was too late now for regrets.