"That sounds like good advice," assented Walter. "And if I don't get a little rest there will be great ugly dark rings under my eyes, and my complexion will simply be ruined." "And his hair won't stay up," added Ed, taking up the girlish tone Walter had assumed. "Well, if you beauties must sleep suppose you go at it. I could snore looking at the floor," and Ed suited his actions to the words, for very shortly, neither Walter nor Jack could compel him to answer a single question with so much as an intelligent grunt. It seemed scarcely possible that daylight had come, when a tapping at the door awoke Jack. "Jack," called Cora, "I must speak with you. Come out as soon as you can." "Now what's up?" asked Ed with a yawn. "We've got to get up," replied Walter, "and since you managed to get to sleep first, we will give you first whack at the wash basin." "Thanks, but help yourself, Wallie," said Ed, turning over on his single bed, three of which sort were stretched out across the long old-fashioned room. "This is a fine day for sleeping." But in spite of the young man's determination to "prolong," he was compelled, by his companions, to join them in a quick washing and dressing act, and then take breakfast with the motor party on the broad side-porch. Mrs. Robinson was ill--that was the important piece of information that Cora wished to disclose to Jack. "We must stay here to-day," insisted Belle, "for mamma could never bear to travel with one of her bad headaches. Of course she could not avoid one after the awful experience of last night." "Well, this place isn't half bad," declared Jack, showing his positive regard for the breakfast before him. "We might all do worse than spend a day at the Wayside." He was thinking of the advantage that the stay would give him in making a search for the girl who had lost her package of newly-cut hair. He had not as yet had an opportunity to consult with Cora; in fact, there seemed plenty to do at the Wayside, and it would all require time. Mrs. Robinson insisted that the young folks enjoy themselves, and go wherever they wished, as she declared, she would be better and quieter with her friend Miss Steel. Miss Steel herself felt none too good after the experience and wetting of the past night, so the two ladies were not annoyed by unnecessary fussing, and unneeded attention. "Isn't this a wonderful old place, though?" commented Walter, as he, with the others had finished the meal, and all were about to go out exploring. "Did you see the fireplace in the dining room?" Thereupon all hands repaired again to the great big old-fashioned dining room, where a few rather delicate-looking persons were still lingering over their coffee. A waitress, in cap and apron, flitted about the apartment. A second girl brought some extra fruit to a little man, who sat against the wall in the corner, and as the two girls met at the buffet Jack heard the remark: