curtain and
closed it quickly again as the rain beat in upon them. "We are apt to
get soaked just running that little distance to the porch."

"And the umbrellas are all wrapped up in the back of Mollie's car,"
lamented Betty, then added, with sudden decision: "I guess unless we
want to sit here all night we'd better chance it. I for one am so
hungry I'd be willing to brave more than a rain for the sake of
something to eat."

"I'd say so!" groaned Grace, again reminded of her own state of
starvation. "You get out your side Betty and I'll get out mine and we'll
make a quick dash for it."

[Illustration: GRACE AND BETTY MADE A QUICK DASH FOR SHELTER. _The
Outdoor Girls at Bluff Point._ _Page 83._]

So they lifted the curtains and slipped out, thankful for the gravel
walk that, while it was wet and slippery, was still a delightful
contrast to the muddy sea of road they had left. They ran head down
against the blinding rain, and gained the bottom step of the porch at
the same time.

A moment more, and they had climbed to the shelter of the porch itself,
out of breath but jubilant.

"Thank goodness!" cried Grace.

"And here come your mother and Mollie and Amy," chuckled Betty as the
trio followed their example and raced for the porch. "I guess none of
them ever knew she could run so fast in her life before. Hello, folks.
Beautiful weather, isn't it?" she inquired gayly, as the three
scrambled, panting, up on the porch. "You seem in a terrible hurry to
get somewhere."

"Speak for yourself, John," gasped Mollie, shaking out her wet skirts
and trying to regain some of her dignity by putting her hat on straight.
"If you could know what I've been through for the last hour, just
coaxing the car along an inch at a time--"

"Well," laughed Betty, as she turned to the front door and pushed the
bell, "I've been through a little bit of everything, myself, for the
last few hours, except a good square meal. And, judging from the
delightful aroma that hovers about this place," she added sniffing
hungrily, "I shouldn't wonder if that oversight wouldn't be swiftly
remedied!"

Then the door opened and a tall, gray-haired lady stood in the lighted
doorway.

CHAPTER X

THE KNIGHT OF THE WAYSIDE

The lady stared at the bedraggled party in amazed silence for a moment.
Then Mrs. Ford stepped impulsively forward.

"I don't wonder you look surprised," she said in her sweetly modulated
voice, "for this is rather an unhe