The Motor Girls

Cora Kimball can hardly contain her excitement when a sleek, maroon automobile is delivered to her family’s driveway on the eve of her birthday. The car, a gleaming four‑cylinder with leather seats and a modern sliding‑gear transmission, becomes the focus of playful banter between her and her brother Jack, who is both protective and eager to see her take the wheel. Their mother insists the vehicle stay hidden until daylight, adding a note of anticipation to the already buzzing household.

As Cora runs her fingers over the polished metal and imagines the freedom of a night‑time spin, she also juggles the expectations of polite society—letters to thank friends, plans to meet other girls, and the quiet pressure to behave within the era’s conventions. The story captures the thrill of a young woman on the brink of independence, the camaraderie of siblings, and the magnetic pull of a machine that promises adventure even before the first road is taken.