And marriage? What was marriage compared to the exciting adventure on which she was about to embark?

She settled Robin on the seat in his bedroom bay window, with a comparatively new picture book, on his honor not to stir until she came back, and then she hurried to Jeremy’s room.

That young man was just snapping shut the second suitcase.

“All packed!” he announced. “I knew you wouldn’t get away from that chump as soon as you thought you would, so I went into Tryon’s room and got his things.”

“Oh,” said Jennifer. “That’s wonderful! But¾are you sure you got everything he needs? Did you remember underwear, plenty of it, and socks? You know we may have very little opportunity to get laundry work done. We may have to stop at a stream somewhere and wash things out. We don’t dare go to hotels, not for a while yet, anyway. Because, Jerry, I don’t intend to get caught!”

“Of course not!” said the young man shortly. “What do you think I am? A babe in arms? Don’t you think I have a mind? I ask you! Did you think I’d be packing nothing but dress suits?”

Jennifer laughed. “No, of course not. But I didn’t think you’d realize about laundry.”

“Well, I did! Got plenty! Remembered bath robes for us both, too, and bathing suits. We’ll have to take baths swimming in streams, probably.”

Jennifer’s eyes brightened.

“Of course,” she said eagerly. “Bright child! I hadn’t thought of that! And we’ll have to have a lot of bath towels along! Mercy! I don’t see how we’re ever going to get everything we need into one car with the whole seven of us. And we’ll simply have to take a blanket or two, for naps and in case some of us get sick.”

“Sure, we’ll manage,” said Jeremy nonchalantly. “I’ve got that contraption fixed on one running board, and we can get two or three big boxes or suitcases in that!”

“Wonderful!” said Jennifer. “I think I’ve been worrying in the back of my mind about how we could get all the baggage we need into the back of the car.”

“Well, there’s the car trunk, you know, besides quite a big place under the backseat. Now, say, Jen, what time do we aim to start? I thought I heard that poor fish yell back he’d be here this evening. Is that right?”

“I told him not to,” said Jennifer, with a worried brow. “I don’t think he’ll come.”

“Well, if he does you’d better have an awful headache or something. Send me to the door. I’ll get rid of him. There! There goes the phone. That’s the other aunts, I’ll wager. Let me answer!” And he strode to the upper extension in the master bedroom. Jennifer stole anxiously after him. There was no telling what he might say if they were disagreeable. He might spoil the whole affair. But as she listened her face relaxed, and she eased herself into a chair by the door, and gradually a twinkly smile began to creep around her mouth.

“Hello! Oh, hello, Aunt Agatha! This is Jeremy. No, Jennifer is busy right now. At least, I’m not sure where she is, but I’ll go hunt her up if you say so. A message? Oh, sure I’ll give her a message. She’ll be around at dinner time.