The motor seemed to go right through the flock of chickens, but Cousin Jack was a careful driver and didn’t harm one of them.  There was a terrific squawking and peeping and clucking as the absurd bipeds ran about in an utterly bewildered manner.  The children and Cousin Ethel managed to count them fairly well, but Cousin Jack had to manage his motor.

“How many?” he asked as the last hen was left behind.

“Fourteen for our side,” announced Midget, triumphantly.

“And nine for us,” said King.  “Never mind, we’ll make up later.”

But they kept fairly even.  To be sure, when they met motor-cars, or any vehicles, they had to turn out to the right, which gave the count to King’s side.

But on the other hand, motors sometimes passed them from behind, and if they went along on the right side they were Marjorie’s count.  Houses were as apt to be on one side as the other, and these added their count of dogs, cats, chickens, and cows, as well as occasional human beings.

Going through small towns was the most fun, for then it required quick counting to get all that belonged to them.

A flock of birds on either side was counted, but a flock of birds that crossed their path was omitted, as it would have counted the same for each.

The game grew more and more exciting.  Sometimes one side would be more than a hundred ahead, and then the balance would swing back the other way.  About six o’clock they neared Lakewood.

“The game stops as we turn into the main street,” said Cousin Jack, “and the prize is this:  whichever of you two children win shall select the dessert at the hotel dinner to-night.”

“All right,” said Marjorie, “but it isn’t only us children.  We each have a partner who must help us in the selection.”

Cousin Jack agreed to this, and in a moment the car swung into the main street of Lakewood.

Midget and King, who had kept account of their hundreds on a bit of paper, began to add up, and it was soon found that Marjorie and Cousin Jack’s side had won by about two hundred points.

“Good work!” cried King.  “We losers congratulate you, and beg you’ll remember that we love ice cream!”

They were following the Maynards’ big car, and soon both cars stopped and all alighted and went into a beautiful hotel called “Holly-in-the-Woods.”

“Oh, how lovely!” whispered Marjorie to Kitty, as she squeezed her sister’s arm.  “Isn’t this fun, Kit?”

“I should say so!” returned Kitty.  “The best Ourday ever!”

Then the children were whisked away to tidy up for dinner, and fresh white frocks were found in the suitcases.  Midget and Kitty tied each other’s ribbons, and soon were ready to go downstairs again.  The Bryants met them in the hall, and took them down.

“Isn’t it like Fairyland!” said Marjorie, enchanted by the palms and flowers and lights and music.  She had never before been in such an elaborate hotel, and she wanted to see it all.