emnly, "I see you have yet to
learn the first lesson of automobile etiquette. Never, my child, whatever
happens, _never_ inquire why a car doesn't go! That is something that
nobody ever knows, and they wouldn't tell if they did know, and, besides,
if they did know, they'd know wrong."

Mrs. Farrington laughed at Elise's coherent explanation, but she admitted
that it was pretty nearly right, after all. Meanwhile, Mr. Farrington and
Roger, with various queer-looking tools, were tinkering at the car here
and there, and though they did not seem to be doing any good, yet they
were evidently not discouraged, for they were whistling gaily, and now
and then made jesting remarks about the hopelessness of ever moving on
again.

"I think there's water in the tubes," said Roger, "but Dad thinks it's a
choked carburetter. So we're going to doctor for both."

"Very well," said Mrs. Farrington, calmly; "as there's no special scenery
to look at about here, I think I shall take a little nap. You girls can
get out and stroll around, if you like."

Mrs. Farrington settled herself comfortably in her corner, and closed her
eyes. Elise and Patty did get out, and walked up and down the road a
little, and then sat down on the bank by the roadside to chat. For the
twentieth time or more they talked over all the details of commencement
day, and congratulated themselves anew on the success of their
entertainment.

At last, after they had waited nearly two hours, Roger declared that
there was no earthly reason why they shouldn't start if they cared to.

It was part of Roger's fun, always to pretend that he could go on at any
moment if he desired to, and when kept waiting by the misconduct of the
car, he always made believe that he delayed the trip solely for his own
pleasure.

Likewise, if under such trying circumstances as they had just passed
through, he heard other automobiles or wagons coming, he would drop his
tools, lean idly against the car, with his hands in his pockets,
whistling, and apparently waiting there at his own pleasure.

All this amused Patty very much, and she began, as Elise said, to learn
the rules of automobile etiquette. It was not difficult with the
Farringtons, for they all had a good sense of humour, and were always
more inclined to laugh than cry over spilled milk.

When Roger made this announcement, Elise jumped up, and crying, "Come on,
Patty," ran back to the car and jumped in, purposely waking her mother a