Perhaps it was the unmistakable kindness shown so plainly in the manner of the motor girls, that convinced the two little berry-pickers that the visitors would be friends--if they might. At any rate, both girls dropped the vines they were overhauling, and stood straight up, with evident stiffness of their young muscles. "But we are not going to do this all our lives," declared the older girl. "Aunt Delia has made enough out of us." "Have you no parents?" ventured Cora. "No, we're orphans," replied the girl, and, as she spoke the word "orphans," the ring of sadness touched the hearts of the older girls. Cora instantly decided to know more about the girls. Their youthful faces were already serious with cares, and they each assumed that aggressive manner peculiar to those who have been oppressed. They seemed, as they looked up, and squarely faced Cora, like girls capable of better work than that in which they were engaged, and they gave the impression of belonging to the distinctive middle class--those "who have not had a chance." "Can't you come over in the shade and rest awhile?" asked Cora. "You must have picked almost enough for to-day." "Oh, to-day won't count, anyway," said the younger girl, with hidden meaning. "Nellie!" called her sister, in angry tones. "What are you talking about!" "Well, I'm not afraid to tell," she replied. "You had better be," snapped the other. "Oh, Rose, you're a coward," and Nellie laughed, as she kicked aside the vines. "I'm not going to work another minute, and you can go and tell Aunt Delia Ramsy if you've a mind to." At that moment a figure emerged from the shed at the end of the long line of green rows. "There she is now, Nellie," said Rose. "You can tell her yourself if you like." Without another word the girls both again began the task so lately left off, and berry after berry fell into the little baskets. Rose had almost filled her tray, and Nellie had hers about half full of the quart boxes. "Rose!" called the woman's shrill voice, from under the big blue sunbonnet. "Come up here and count these tally sticks. Some of those kids are snibbying." With a sigh Rose picked up her tray, and made her way through the narrow paths. Cora saw that the woman had noticed her talking to Bess and Belle, and while wishing for a chance to talk to Nellie alone, she beckoned to her companions to go along up to the shed. "Maybe I'll see you soon again," almost whispered Nellie, in the way which so plainly betrays the hope of youth. "I am sure you will," replied Cora, smiling reassuringly. "What strange girls," remarked Belle. "Aren't they?" added Bess, turning back to get another look at little Nellie in her big-brimmed hat. "They are surely going to do something desperate," declared Cora, "and I think now that we have found them, as the boys would say, 'it is up to us' to keep track of them." CHAPTER III THE STRIKE