It seemed a long time before Clip reappeared at the door, and beckoned him to come in. Then the room he entered smelled strongly of antiseptics, and the crippled child sat in a chair made sweet and fresh with snowy pillows. Wren had her promise book in her hands. Briefly Cecilia introduced Jack, while the child eyed him keenly, as do those deprived of the usual means of making sure of their friends. "You know about my promise," she said shyly. "Grandpa's will is lost in an old table, and will you promise to help find it?" "Indeed I will," said Jack warmly, taking the pen offered. "I have a weakness for hunting old furniture, and I hope it will be my good fortune to find the table." "How much you are like your sister," said Wren, referring to Cora, "but not a bit like your cousin." This caused both Jack and Cecilia to laugh--she Jack's cousin! Mrs. Salvey patted the child's head. "She is so much better lately," she said, "since she has been friends with Miss Thayer." "Her friendship is wonderful," said Jack, handing back the book. "It does me all sorts of good." Cecilia was pulling on her gloves. She picked up the small black satchel (her hand bag, she called it), and started for the door. "That hand bag smells like--" "Fresh eggs," she interrupted Jack. "Understand, young man, I had to come out here to get one dozen of strictly fresh eggs." For a moment she looked intently at Jack, as if determined to put him on his honor without further explanation. He took her hand and assisted her into the car. As he did so she felt the assurance that Jack Kimball was her friend. Then they started back to Chelton. CHAPTER X "THEY'RE OFF!" "Isn't it too mean? I never thought that Cecilia would act so. I think Jack knows why." Bess Robinson was talking to Cora. Her voice betrayed something other than disappointment. Bess now called Cecilia by her full name--the affectionate "Clip" had been laid aside. Besides this she hesitated when Jack's name was needed in her conversation. The fact was perfectly evident. Jack's attention to Cecilia, their runaway ride, and the consequent talk, had rather hurt Bess. Jack had always been a very good friend to her. "But Clip simply can't come," said Cora. "Her machine is out of order, and, besides this, she is called away to look after some sick relative." "Cora Kimball!" exclaimed Bess. "You're a perfect baby. Sick relative! Why, every one sickens a relative when they want to go away in a hurry. It might be interesting to know who else has a made-up sick relative who demands, say, Jack's immediate attention."