"Yes, Ed--Ed Foster," they heard Cora say. Then she listened a long time. Her face did not betray pleasure, and her words were plainly disguised. "All right, Ed," she said finally. "I will attend to it at once. Oh, yes, a perfectly lovely time. Thank you--we are just about to dine. Good-by." Cora was slow to hang up the receiver. And when she turned around Hazel Hastings confronted her. "Oh, is it Paul?" asked Hazel. "Tell me quickly. What has happened to Paul?" "Hazel," said Cora, "you must have your lunch. You are dreadfully excitable." But it was Cora Kimball who was distracted, who played with her lunch without apparent appetite, and it was she who could take but one cup of tea in the fascinating little tea-house, the college girls' Grotto. CHAPTER XIV THE PROMISE BOOK LOST "Now, Cora, dear," began Gertrude, in her quiet, yet convincing way, "you may just as well tell us what you are waiting for. We are guessing all sorts of things, and the truth cannot possibly be as bad." They were sitting on the porch of the Grotto, and although they were away behind scheduled time at that point, Cora insisted she wanted to rest a bit, and seemed loath to move. Cora Kimball tired after twenty-five miles! As well accuse the Whirlwind of drinking its own gasoline. Hazel was almost feverish. Cora had not divulged the purport of the telephone message, beyond admitting it was from Ed, which gave Ray the chance for her little joke on the combination of names--Cora and Ed, the "Co-Eds." "When the Co-Eds conspire," lisped Ray, "we may as well wait patiently. We will have to wait their pleasure, of course." Cora did not mind the sarcasm. She was certainly not like herself. Bess and Belle were even anxious about her, and offered all sorts of remedies, from bicarbonate of soda to dry tea. "Now," said Cora finally, "it is two o'clock. Do you really think we ought to make Breakwater tonight?" "Why not?" gasped Daisy. "Won't Aunt May be waiting for us? And it is only thirty miles." "Yes, but," faltered Cora, "suppose you should have a breakdown on that lonely road? There is neither station nor house from here to the falls." "What should break down?" asked Daisy. "This is papa's best machine, if you mean it is not trustworthy." "Oh, Daisy, dear, I had no idea of insinuating such a thing. Your machine, of course, is just as trustworthy as any of the others. But I was thinking how delightful it would be to spend the night here. I really must confess to being broken up by that ram accident," and Cora shivered slightly. The girls looked at her in astonishment. Her words did not ring true; Cora Kimball was a poor actress. "If Cora wants to stay," said Tillie, "I should think you would all agree. Cora is captain, is she not?" "But our trip will be spoiled," wailed Maud. "I do wish I had never come."