Part 10 (2/2)
Ruth glanced at the Captain out of the corners of her eyes, and wondered: ”Did she see me kick that old thing?”
”Oh! Well, then, come over and get busy here again,” said Joan, beckoning to Ruth.
”That won't make your toe hurt, Ruth. You can remain in one spot and weed,” added Mrs. Vernon.
Not having any other excuse at the moment, Ruth limped to the hut and slowly began the old work, but she rebelled inwardly.
After an hour's hard work the clearing was done, and the girls threw themselves down to rest. The Captain was ready for this recess.
”I made a jugful of lemonade, girls, and it is as cold as if we had ice water in it. Just taste!”
”Oh, glory! Just what I was wis.h.i.+ng for,” sighed Julie.
The others quickly agreed with that exclamation, and tested the drink.
The mingled sounds of approval made the Captain smile. After a short rest, Joan said:
”What next? I'm ready to start work again.”
”Dear me! Haven't we done enough for this afternoon? I want to enjoy a _little_ bit of the time here,” complained Ruth.
”I'm having a fine time! I like this sort of thing,” said Joan.
”You can do exactly as you like, girls; if you want to do any more work on the hut, well and good; if you prefer to rest or do anything else, there is no one to stop you. But it is plain to be seen that the hut cannot be repaired completely this afternoon, eh?” said Mrs. Vernon, with a smile.
”I should say not! If we finish it by to-morrow night we will be clever workers,” replied Julie.
”I'm going back to work on it, anyway,” came from Betty.
”You always were the easy mark for every one,” Ruth said scornfully, tossing her head.
Betty flushed, but Julie defended her. ”She isn't an easy mark at all!
But she may be too sympathetic for hard-hearted or lazy folks who always play on her generosity!”
”I don't believe the scout handbook says that members of the scout organization must criticize or say unpleasant things to others,”
commented Mrs. Vernon.
That silenced every one, and soon all four girls were at work again, removing the dead wood of the flooring. When this was done, Mrs. Vernon examined it carefully.
”It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. The tangle of briars and brush, and the decayed outer layer of the beams, made it look as if it all must be removed.”
Once they became interested in repairing the floor as it should be done, the girls wanted to continue and complete it, but the wise Captain called a halt, and said:
”Twilight will soon creep up to compel us to stop work; before that comes we want to have everything ready for the night.”
So when darkness fell the camp was ready and waiting for it. A fine fire reflected light fitfully about its radius, and lanterns were lighted for use in case the campers wished to go about. Hepsy had been fed and bedded for the night, and the tent was in readiness for its tenants.
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