“Absurd!” protested Mrs. Wilson.  “Here comes Elmer.”

“Why, Peter Dillon, this is a surprise!” exclaimed the young lieutenant, walking into the room in search of his mother.  “I never knew Mother to get up so early before.  I have just been inquiring of your maid, Mother, to know what had become of you.  Harriet Hamlin wants you to chaperon us on an automobile ride out to Mt.  Vernon and along the Potomac River.  Charlie Meyers is giving the party, and Harriet thinks her father won’t object if you will go along to look after us.  That Charlie Meyers is an awful bounder!  But Harriet wants to show her little Yankee visitors the sights.  Do come along with us, Mother.  For I have a fancy I should like to stroll through the old Washington garden with ‘sweet sixteen.’”

“I will chaperon you with pleasure, Elmer,” Mrs. Wilson agreed.  “But what about you, Peter?  Are you not invited?”

Peter looked chagrined.

“No; I am not invited, and I call it unkind of Harriet.  She knows I am dreadfully impressed with the ‘Automobile Girls.’”

Mrs. Wilson and Elmer both laughed provokingly.  “That is just what’s the trouble with you, Peter.  Harriet is accustomed to your devotion to her.  Now that you have turned your thoughts in another direction, she may look upon you as a faithless swain,” Mrs. Wilson teased.

“Don’t undertake more than you can manage, Peter,” teased Elmer Wilson.

“That is good advice for Peter.  Remember, Peter, I have warned you.  Some day you will run across a girl who is cleverer than you are.  Then look out, young man,” Mrs. Wilson repeated.

But Peter only laughed cheerfully.  “What girl isn’t cleverer than a man?” he protested. “Au revoir.  I shall do my best to persuade Harriet to let me go along with her party this afternoon.  I suppose we shall be starting soon after luncheon, as it is Saturday.”

“Mother, can you let me have some money?” Elmer asked, as soon as Peter was out of hearing.  “I am ashamed to ask you for it.  But going out in society does cost a fellow an awful lot.”

Mrs. Wilson shook her head.  “I am sorry, Boy; I can’t let you have anything just now.  I am short of money myself at present.  But I expect to have some money coming in, say in about two weeks, or even ten days.  Then I can let you have what you like.”

* * * * *

“How shall we divide our party for the motor ride, Ruth?” asked Harriet Hamlin about two o’clock on the afternoon of the same day.

Ruth’s red car was standing in front of Mr. Hamlin’s door with another larger one belonging to Harriet’s friend, Charlie Meyers, waiting behind it.

The automobile party stood out on the side walk and Peter Dillon had somehow managed to be one of them.

“Suppose, Barbara, Grace and Hugh Post go along with me, Harriet?” Ruth proposed.  “Mr. Meyers’ car is larger than mine.  He can take the rest of the party.”