“I wish we were going to start on our tramp to-morrow!” exclaimed Betty as they walked along the damp country road toward their homes, the sweet smell of the newly-watered earth mingling with the scent of grass and flowers.  “The country is just lovely now.”

“It will still be as lovely next month,” said Mollie.  “Only two weeks more of school, and then we will be on our way.”

“Do you feel all right, Amy?” asked Grace.  “Have a—­”

“No, she won’t have a chocolate, if that’s what you’re going to say!” spoke Mollie, quickly.  “Do you want to make her get worse?”

“I wasn’t going to say chocolate—­so there!” snapped the usually gentle-mannered Grace.  “Don’t be so quick, Billy.”

“Oh, I beg your pardon,” and the French girl showed her contrition.  “I forgot you can think of something beside candy.”

“I was going to ask her if she wanted my smelling salts,” Grace went on, and Amy accepted the little bottle.

There was much talk that afternoon of the coming trip.  Some further letters had been received from relatives who would welcome the girls at the various stopping places.

“This about completes our schedule,” remarked Betty, as she noted down, on a map she had drawn, the names of some persons and places.  “Everything is coming on fine, girls.”

“Isn’t it nice!” exclaimed Mollie.

“You’re sure to come; aren’t you, Amy?” asked Grace.

“Yes, of course—­that is—­” A shadow seemed to pass over her face, and then her pale cheeks became pink.  “Oh, I guess you can count on me,” she finally declared.  “I was just thinking—­oh, it doesn’t matter.  Let’s see now, Betty, how many stopping places do you count on?”

“About eight.  Of course there may be more, and we may have to stay in one place longer than I figure on, and we might skip some places altogether.”

“What about the camp?” asked Mollie.

“I am arranging for that,” spoke Grace.  “Papa’s half-brother lives in Cameron.  He and his wife maintain a sort of camp there for those who love the woods and outdoors.  Mamma has written, and arrangements will be made for us to have a cabin or bungalow there for a few days.”

“Won’t it be glorious!” cried Mollie, taking Amy in a waltzing hold and whirling about the room with her, while she hummed a dreamy song.

They were at Betty’s house discussing their coming trip, and it was nearly supper time when they dispersed.  Grace insisted on accompanying Amy part of the way home.

“I don’t want you to faint again and be all by yourself,” she said.

“Silly!  I shall do nothing of the sort,” declared Amy, but Grace had her way.

It was the next afternoon, when Betty and Grace were having a game of tennis on the court that had been laid out back of the High School, that Alice Jallow and Kittie Rossmore came past, arm in arm.  They paused for a moment to watch the game, and during a lull Alice remarked: