"Yes and she gets it," declared his companion, handing up the crate to Cora, who stood in the car. "Whew! Ain't this a good one though!" and he looked at the splendid maroon auto. "Must have cost a lot." "Quite a good deal," said Cora. "Some day, when I come again, perhaps I will give you a nice ride in it!" "There's Nellie," called Bess. "She wants to speak with us, I guess." The girl, who had put the dogs back on their chains, was hurrying down the path. "Good-bye," she said, "I don't think we will be here when you come to-morrow." "Where are you going?" asked Cora. "Don't speak so loud," cautioned Nellie. "That old Lady Blazes is just as bad on us as Aunt Delia. And worse, for she puts her up to everything." "Nellie! Nellie!" shrieked the one termed "Blazes." "Your aunt wants you right away up at the house!" Nellie turned with a nod to Bess and Belle. "Ain't that a shame!" said Skip. "We will strike fer them girls next." CHAPTER V TOO CONFIDENT "Mother will be so disappointed not to get her berries," remarked Bess, as she and Belle, in their little _Flyaway_, got out on the road, following Cora. "But Cora did wonderfully well, I think," replied the sister, "to get the better of that horrid woman. She was going to sell two crates, and she only actually sold the crate which she insisted Andy should pay for. It takes Cora--she is a born leader." "It certainly was diplomatic," agreed Bess, "and I suppose we can come out to-morrow for the others. Mother was not particular about having them done up at once. But weren't those girls queer? And how stage-like little Nellie looked with those fierce dogs at her side, and the boys standing around her? I declare I think that would make a play." "Better try your hand at it," suggested Belle. "I always thought you had some hidden talent. It may now be discovered." "And do you think the girls are going to do something desperate?" asked Bess, throwing in more speed, and brushing along at a lively rate over the broad country road. "I am sure they are going to do something very unusual, but whether it may be desperate, or simply foolish, would be impossible to surmise with any degree of certainty," replied the judicious Belle. "I fancy they intend to--leave the strawberry patch, at least." Cora turned, and called to Bess to look out for the "Thank-you-ma'ams" that were so plentifully scattered over the hill they had just come upon. Some were deep and long, she said, and with the ever-increasing grade might stall an overworked engine. Following the advice, Bess changed to low gear, and crawled up and down the hills, after the pace set by Cora.