d in concert.

"It's no use," spoke Bess Robinson. "I'm not going at all--at least
not now. I'm going to take another day to sort out the things I really
don't need."

"You can't!" exclaimed Cora. "Our tickets are bought, the bungalow is
engaged, and we leave for Crystal Bay on the morning train, if we have
to ship this whole room by freight--just as it is!"

"Perhaps that would be the easiest way," suggested timid Marita
Osborne.

"It certainly would create a sensation in Chelton," murmured Belle, as
she looked at her plump sister. "But come, we really must help you,
Cora. It's too bad we took advantage of your good nature, and brought
our things here to pack. We might better have done it at our own
homes."

"No, I think you'll find my way best in the end," said Cora, with a
smile, as she looked about for a place in which to pack her sweater.
"By doing this we won't duplicate on the extras. Now, girls, try once
more. Marita, let's begin on your suitcase, for that seems to be the
smallest. Oh, dear, Bess, what are you doing now?" she called, as she
noted an unusual activity on the part of the plump girl.

"I'm just seeing if I'm heavy enough to close the lid of my trunk,"
was the answer. "No, I'm not," she exclaimed, as she hopped on and
hopped off again.

"Look out!" called Belle. "You nearly stepped on my veil-box, Bess."

"Sorry, Sis, but you shouldn't leave it on the floor."

The plump one stood looking at the bulging trunk, and then drew a long
breath.

"Girls!" she cried, "I'm losing weight."

"How do you know?" asked her sister promptly.

"Couldn't close my trunk lid. That's the way I can always tell.
Problem: Given a trunk, which requires a force of one hundred and
thirty-five pounds to close down the lid, and a girl of one hundred
and fifteen, how many chocolates must the said girl eat before she is
heavy enough to close the lid? Answer--one pound, and here's for a
starter," saying which pretty, plump Bess rummaged in a pile of her
belongings until she found what she was after. Then, sinking down in a
heap of silk petticoats she began munching bonbons with a contented
air.

"Bess Robinson!" gasped Cora. "You're never going to do that; are
you?"

"Do what?" came with an innocent air.

"Sit there and eat chocolates until you're heavy enough to close down
the lid of your trunk."

"I might as well. I can't check it open that way, and I can't close it
at my present weight. I need everything I'