"Hurry up, I say!" he repeated. "My word, what a guy you look! We've just
had a wire from Jack. He will be in Paris this evening, and we are to
meet him there. We have got to catch the Paris express at Rennes, and the
train leaves here in two hours."

This was news indeed. Chris found herself plunged forthwith into such a
turmoil of preparation as drove all thought of the morning's events from
her mind.

Her brothers were overjoyed at the prospect of immediate departure;
Mademoiselle was scarcely less so; and Chris herself, infected by the
general atmosphere of satisfaction, entered into the fun of the thing
with a spirit fully equal to the occasion. The scramble to be ready was
such that not one of the party stopped to breathe during those two hours.
They bolted refreshments while they packed, talking at the tops of their
voices, and thoroughly enjoying the unwonted excitement. Mademoiselle was
more nearly genial than Chris had ever seen her. She did not even scold
her for taking an early dip. At the time Chris was too busy to wonder at
her forbearance; but she discovered the reason later, without the
preliminary of wondering, when she came to know that it was
Mademoiselle's urgent representations at headquarters regarding her own
delinquencies that had impelled this sudden summons.

The thought of meeting her cousin added zest to the situation. Though ten
years her senior, Jack Forest had long been the best chum she had--he was
best chum to a good many people.

Only when by strenuous effort they had managed to catch the one and only
train that could land them at Rennes in time for the Paris express, only
when the cliffs and the dear blue shore where she had idled so many hours