You won't be long."
"No longer than we can help. Come on, Bess. Oh! and now you'll have
a chance to tell me what you started to."'
"Oh! It isn't so much, Cora. In fact, I don't like to mention my
pleasure, after hearing of your trouble."
"Then it's pleasure?"
"Yes, Belle seems to think so."
"Did you mention the West Indies?"
"Yes, father has to go to Porto Rico on business, and we are going to
make a winter cruise of it. Mamma and we girls are going, and what I
came over to ask you--"
The voice of Bess was rather lost in the throb of the motor as Cora
thrust over the lever of the self-starter. As the two girls settled
themselves in the seat, Bess resumed:
"I came over to ask if you couldn't go with us, Cora? Can't you come
on a winter's cruise to where there is no snow or ice, and where the
waters are blue--so blue?"
"Come with you?" gasped Cora.
"Yes. Papa and mamma specially asked me to come and invite you. Oh,
Cora, do say you'll go! It will be such fun!"
"I'd love to, Bess," said Cora, after a moment's thought. "But
there's poor Jack, you know. I shall probably have to stay home and
nurse him. I can't leave mother all alone."
"Oh, Cora!" murmured Bess, in disappointed tones.
CHAPTER III
THE LACE SELLER
Cora, Bess and Belle were sitting on the broad, long porch of the
Kimball home. It was the next day.
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