"Well, that's neither here nor there, then," was the young man's cool answer. "But if you're going after the stuff to make jam tarts with this winter, Cora, you'd better start," and at this somewhat enigmatical remark, Jack began whistling a tantalizing air, while Bess winked at her chum. CHAPTER II AT THE STRAWBERRY PATCH "Yes, I promised mother I would go for a crate of strawberries," Cora said, by way of explanation. "Would you like to come along, Bess? It is a lovely ride to the berry patch." "Then, I think I will run back for Belle, and we, too, may fetch home a crate. Mother will be delighted to get them fresh from the pickers." "Suppose we meet in an hour at Smith's Crossing?" suggested Cora. "I have some little things to attend to, and that will just about give you time to get Belle, and her belongings." This was agreed upon, and the girls parted for the short time. Jack insisted upon keeping his wonderful good news secret, for, try as he did, he could not coax Cora to divulge the news which he knew Bess must have brought. "I could see it in her cheeks," Jack insisted, "and I can almost read that signal code you two have arranged." "Well, when it is all settled I may--tell you," replied his sister. "But you boys imagine that girls cannot keep anything to themselves----" "Wrong there, sis," he answered, picking up his cap. "We all know perfectly well that you all can keep to yourselves exactly what we want to know," and in leaving the room he tossed a sofa cushion at Cora's head, hitting her squarely, and knocking her hair awry. She retaliated, however, with a floor cushion over the banister, which Jack failed to dodge. At the appointed time, three o'clock, on a lovely June afternoon, Cora and Bess met as arranged with their autos at the cross-roads, Belle dainty as ever in her flimsy veils and airy silk coat, Bess, with her hand on the wheel, her eyes on the road ahead, and her jolly self done up simply in pongee, while Cora, correct as ever, and equally distinctive in her true green auto hood, and cloak that matched, made up a very attractive trio of auto maids. "It's only six miles out," called Cora, "and this road runs straight into Squaton. They have quite a big strawberry farm out there." "Yes," called back Bess, turning on more gasolene and throwing in third speed, "mother was just delighted when I told her we were going there for berries." Over the smooth, shaded road the cars sped, the _Whirlwind_, Cora's machine, exactly attuned to the hum of the _Flyaway_, the car occupied by the twins. Just as two clocks, placed side by side, will soon tick in harmony, so two good engines may match each other in the hum of speed. "I can smell the berries," exclaimed Belle, as they neared a group of tall elms. "We are almost there," remarked Cora, "and I think I, too, smell something good." Under the trees by the roadside they espied some boys eating from a pail of berries.