In spite of his furs, the young man in the car turned quite cold.  “Not with us?” he gasped.

Miss Forbes appeared at the house door, followed by Ernest Peabody.  He wore an expression of disturbed dignity; she one of distressed amusement.  That she also wore her automobile coat caused the heart of Winthrop to leap hopefully.

“Winthrop,” said Peabody, “I am in rather an embarrassing position.  My sister, Mrs. Taylor Holbrooke”—­he spoke the name as though he were announcing it at the door of a drawing-room—­“desires Miss Forbes to go with her.  She feels accidents are apt to occur with motor cars—­and there are no other ladies in your party—­and the crowds——­”

Winthrop carefully avoided looking at Miss Forbes.  “I should be very sorry,” he murmured.

“Ernest!” said Miss Forbes, “I explained it was impossible for me to go with your sister.  We would be extremely rude to Mr. Winthrop.  How do you wish us to sit?” she asked.

She mounted to the rear seat, and made room opposite her for Peabody.

“Do I understand, Beatrice,” began Peabody in a tone that instantly made every one extremely uncomfortable, “that I am to tell my sister you are not coming?”

“Ernest!” begged Miss Forbes.

Winthrop bent hastily over the oil valves.  He read the speedometer, which was, as usual, out of order, with fascinated interest.

“Ernest,” pleaded Miss Forbes,

“Mr. Winthrop and Sam planned this trip for us a long time ago—­to give us a little pleasure——­”

“Then,” said Peabody in a hollow voice, “you have decided?”

“Ernest,” cried Miss Forbes, “don’t look at me as though you meant to hurl the curse of Rome.  I have.  Jump in.  Please!”

“I will bid you good-by,” said Peabody; “I have only just time to catch our train.”

Miss Forbes rose and moved to the door of the car.

“I had better not go with any one,” she said in a low voice.

“You will go with me,” commanded her brother.  “Come on, Ernest.”

“Thank you, no,” replied Peabody.  “I have promised my sister.”

“All right, then,” exclaimed Sam briskly, “see you at the game.  Section H. Don’t forget.  Let her out, Billy.”

With a troubled countenance Winthrop bent forward and clasped the clutch.

“Better come, Peabody,” he said.

“I thank you, no,” repeated Peabody.  “I must go with my sister.”

As the car glided forward Brother Sam sighed heavily.

“My! but he’s got a mean disposition,” he said.  “He has quite spoiled my day.”

He chuckled wickedly, but Winthrop pretended not to hear, and his sister maintained an expression of utter dejection.

But to maintain an expression of utter dejection is very difficult when the sun is shining, when you are flying at the rate of forty miles an hour, and when in the cars you pass foolish youths wave Yale flags at you, and take advantage of the day to cry:  “Three cheers for the girl in the blue hat!”