"We are going to do our best," answered Dave, modestly.
"Dave is in a little trouble," continued the shipowner's son, and told about the missing express package.
"Oh, I hope you get the wig!" cried Vera. "A red one will look so becoming!" And she laughed heartily.
"And he is to have a big red mustache, too," said Phil.
"Hold on, Phil, you mustn't give away any professional secrets!" cried Dave.
"Oh, I just dote on red mustaches," exclaimed Vera. "They make a man look like a--a---- Oh, I don't know what!"
"Oh, Vera, you're awful!" interposed Mary. "What do you know about red mustaches, anyway?"
"She never had one, did she?" remarked Dave, calmly, and at this both girls shrieked with laughter. "But never mind," he went on. "After I am done with it, she can have mine." And this brought forth more laughter.
The girls and boys had come to a halt directly in front of a new candy and ice-cream establishment, and it was but natural that Phil should suggest to Dave that they go in and get some candy. The girls demurred at first at being treated, but then consented, and all went into the store. Dave purchased some assorted chocolates and Phil some fancy fig pastes, the girls saying they liked both.
"As it's a new store, the candies ought to be fresh," remarked Dave.
"Well, I like them best that way," answered Vera, as she helped herself to a chocolate. "I don't care for them when they are stale--and it is sometimes hard to get them fresh in a small town like this. The stores----"
She stopped short, for at the door of the candy establishment they almost ran into a party of two girls and a man. One of the girls--the younger--was staring very hard at Dave.
"Why, father!" cried Dave, in astonishment. "And you, too, Laura and Jessie! Why, this is a surprise!" And he hastened to shake hands all around. "I didn't dream of your coming."
"I just made them come," said Laura, giving him a kiss. "How are you, Phil?" and she shook hands with the shipowner's son.
When Dave took Jessie's hand he felt it tremble a little. The girl said a few commonplace words but all the time kept looking at Vera.
"Let me introduce our friends," said Phil, and proceeded to go through the ceremony. "We have just been buying some candy. Come, have some," and he held out the box he had bought. Laura took some, but Jessie shook her head.