"We _did_ get it," remarked Ed. "I never swam before--this way." "Is there anything wetter than wet clothes?" asked Cora. "Oh, yes," replied Bess. "I think the wettest thing I have ever found is the--bottom of the sea! Mercy, but I did think I was gone!" "You were," replied Walter, swishing a few drops of the too plentiful water in her eyes. "You were gone, but not forgotten, and you came back like--the famous penny!" "Oh, you can joke!" retorted Bess. "But I tell you I was almost washed out." "Worse than the laundry," teased Ed. "Well, Bess, you look a lot better. I do believe you've gotten thin!" CHAPTER XXIII THE EXCURSION When Jack returned to the bungalow, with the rescued runabout, he was all excitement over the discovery of pretty Beatrice Blakley. He even went so far as to declare that she had confided in him the fact that she was just about to get an electric runabout, that her father was a very wealthy man, and that she was going to be at Lookout Beach all summer! This information was detailed in such a way as to excite the possibility of jealousy in the other motor girls, particularly in Bess, who really looked upon Jack Kimball as quite a friend--one whom she could depend upon to look out for her particular pleasure, and give her all the little attentions that go to make up the sum total of a good time for the summer girl. So the arrival upon the scene of Miss Beatrice was rather a surprise--to say the least. "Come on, Cora," called Jack, after he had given a particularly enthusiastic description of Beatrice's wonderful management of her sick mother, "I promised you would go to the hotel this afternoon to see how Mrs. Blakley is, and to find out if they need anything before Mr. Blakley gets down from town." "Of course I'll go," replied Cora, with a sly smile. "Belle and I, or Bess and I will call, certainly." "Well, get in the machine, you three, and we boys will get ourselves dried out. You may keep the runabout at the Clover until you are ready to go over in the afternoon. Then I'll drive you." This assertion caused every one to laugh at Jack. The idea of his driving two motor girls! As if they couldn't manage a little car like that! "Well, we will see," said Cora, as she, Bess, and Belle climbed into the car, which held three comfortably. "Perhaps if you are very good we may take you along. Or you may----" "I say, fellows!" interrupted Ed. "I thought we were going to see that excursion come in from Chelton this afternoon. Some of our boys are coming down." "Of course," added Walter. "Jack, you don't call on B---- this afternoon. Make it some other time. We are going down to the pier to see the folks from home, and in the meantime, we've got a lot to do to get this camp pitched. And you are cook for the first week. Don't forget that." "Oh, all right," assented Jack. "Of course, if you all insist. Perhaps I can live!" and he sighed dramatically.