Cora was surprised. She knew very well she had not asked him to ride in the Whirlwind, and she had no intention of doing so. She was about to reply, when Sid jumped in beside her. "I see you're not going to ask me," he went on, "and, as I have no idea of losing the chance for a spin, I'll get in without an invitation." With a quick motion he shoved over the spark lever and the motor started, for a charge had remained in one of the cylinders, obviating the necessity of cranking up. "There, we're all ready to go," he said. Cora was dumfounded. But she felt it would not do to make a vigorous protest in such a public place. For a moment her feelings threatened to master her. Then she regained control of herself, threw in the clutch and turned the car in the direction of the park. After all, it might be better to humor Sid. "So you brought Paul Hastings over?" drawled the youth. Then he had seen her, after all. Cora's precautions were useless. She nodded coldly. She was offended by her companion's impertinent tone. She started to turn off the power and apply the brake. She would not ride with him. "Oh, you needn't get mad," continued Sid quickly. "I did not mean to offend you, though if it had not been for you Paul would not have gotten here ahead of me. You're a plucky girl, as well as a pretty one." Cora flashed an indignant look at him. "I suppose you meant that for a compliment," she said, "but you don't quite understand the art. It requires a certain delicacy--" "Such as Paul Hastings might have," sneered Sid. Cora felt that she could not bear with him a moment longer. "I have a purchase to make here," she said with as much frigidness in her tones as she could call up. "I'll not ask you to wait," and she stopped the car in front of a dress-goods store. "Oh, it's no trouble to wait." "I'd rather you wouldn't." "Well, I will." He was smiling now. "I never like to leave a young lady when she is in a--temper." Cora was positively angry. But again came that detestation of making a scene, which every well-bred girl feels, no matter how strong the provocation. She would make a purchase to gain time, and then turn back to the bank building. She bought something she was in no need of, and prolonged the transaction to an interminable length, to the no small disgust of the salesgirl. When she got back to the machine, Sid was smiling more broadly than before. He had taken her place at the wheel. "You won't mind me driving as far as the bank building, will you?" he said. "I really must get a new car. I miss mine so much, and it's in bad shape since you--er--tried to smash me." "I did nothing of the sort. It was your own fault." "There, there," he said soothingly. "We mustn't quarrel." Cora felt herself growing pale. She repressed a stinging reply, and without a word took a seat in the tonneau.