"Oh, it's too good, good, good to be true," Nancy cried, trying to embrace them both at the same time. "To have you all come—at once. I'm so happy, I just want to cry."
"And, Nancy, at last you're going to meet my brother Barry," interrupted Claire, her eyes sparkling. "You wouldn't come to Merrycliffe, so you see I had to bring him here."
Nancy was so happy that she could even turn to greet the despised "lion" with a radiant smile. Claire's brother, who, forgotten by the others in their joyous reunion, had been busying himself with the engine of his car, now turned and removed from a dust-stained face the goggles that had almost completely hidden it.
"Pe-ter. You——" and Nancy, her face crimson, put her two hands behind her back.
CHAPTER XXIX
BARRY
Nancy presented such a picture of bewilderment and unbelief that the others all laughed—except Peter; his face was very grave.
"You see I thought the only way I could get you—to forgive me—was by bringing them all back with me."
But Nancy had no intention of forgiving—at least, at once—the trick that had been played upon her. She lifted her chin with meaning disdain and turned to the others.