The run back took longer, but it--was made in good time, and Cora and Bess, at the wheels of their respective cars, guided them and the hose carts into the yard near the burning house. The blaze was fiercer now, but it had not eaten down as far as it would have done had it not been for the heavy rain. The farmer and his hired man had carried the bedridden woman out, placing her on a mattress in the carriage house. "Attach the hose to the hydrants!" cried Mr. Appleby. "I'll turn on th' water." "Who'll handle the nozzles?" asked the farmer. "It'll take two men to each one, there's so much force to th' water." "You an' I can handle one!" yelled Mr. Apple by, "an' your hired man." "He can't manage th' other alone." "Then we'll help!" called Cora. "Come on, girls!" The lines were unreeled, attached to the hydrants, and were soon spurting water. Cora and Bess, for Belle declared herself too nervous to help, aided the hired man in holding one nozzle of the leaping, writhing hose, that seemed like some great snake as it squirmed under the pressure of the water. The farmer and Mr. Appleby managed the other. The fire burned slowly, and the little force was really setting it under control when some men, summoned by young Appleby, arrived and relieved the girls. More lines of hose were run from the hydrants, each one of which could supply water to two, and the blaze was soon out, though the house had been considerably damaged. "Well, if it hadn't been fer them young ladies and their machines, maybe you wouldn't have had any house, Frank," said Mr. Appleby to the farmer. "That's right; and land knows I can't begin t' thank 'em. If ever they want a friend, all they've got to do is t' call on Frank Ettner---that's me." He thrust out his rough hand, and Cora clasped--or tried to--the big palm in her own little one. "I--I don't know how to thank you!" he exclaimed fervently. "We couldn't help doing it," said Cora, blushing, and then Mr. Ettner insisted on shaking her hand again, and also with Belle and Bess. "Well, we certainly had an adventure!" exclaimed Cora as the motor girls were riding home after the shower had stopped. "Whatever will the boys say?" "The boys will be very proud of you, Cora," declared Belle. It was a few days after this when Cora was out alone in her car, trying to understand, among many other things, why Ida had not called for her ring. "And why doesn't Jack let me take it to her?" she asked herself again. "I declare I can't understand Jack," and she shook her head. Along the turnpike she guided her car, going on slow speed to more fully enjoy the odor of the wild honeysuckle which in tangled masses lined the roadside, mingling with the wild rose perfume that was wafted on the gentle breezes.