She had advised the mother to go to court to account for her own child, a most peculiar¹ proceeding², but one insisted upon by a well-meaning organization, the special duty of which was to care for children. What sort of story Mrs. Salvey's relative may have told to bring such a course about, neither she nor Cecilia knew. But at any rate a private hearing was arranged for, and now Cecilia was on her way to fetch the widow to town.

 

Driving leisurely³ along, for the Turtle could not be trusted to hurry, Cecilia had ample time to plan her own course of action, should the judge insist upon having Wren⁴ shown in court. This Cecilia felt sure would be dangerous to the extremely nervous condition of the child, and it was such a move she most dreaded⁵.

 

"I will call Dr. Collins," thought Cecilia, "and have him state the facts, if necessary. But then I would have to give an account of my own part," came the thought, "and that would mean so much to me just now."

 

The "burr r-rr-r" of an approaching automobile⁶ startled her. She turned and confronted Rob Roland.

 

"Well," he exclaimed, his pleasure too evident, "this is luck. Were you going to Aunt Salvey's?"

 

Cecilia was annoyed. But she had no other course than to reply that she was going to the cottage.

 

"So am I," replied the young man, "and very likely our business is of the same nature."

 

"I am going to fetch her into town to the hearing," spoke⁷ up Cecilia, "and I have to hurry along."

 

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