Part 15 (1/2)
Mrs. Livingston shook her head.
”Both girls are going to bed immediately. Please fix up two cots for them in my tent. No, no,” she added in answer to Harriet's protests, ”it is my order. You are to turn in and sleep until supper time, if you wish; by that time we shall have the camp put to rights and you may talk to your hearts' content.”
The Chief Guardian led the two girls to her tent, a.s.sisting them to remove their damp clothing, putting them in warm flannel night gowns and tucking them in their cots. Harriet insisted that she did not wish to be ”babied,” but, the guardian was firm. After tucking them in Mrs.
Livingston sat down on the edge of Tommy's cot and began asking her questions, all of which Tommy answered volubly, Harriet now and then offering objections to her companion's praise. In a few moments the Chief Guardian was in possession of the whole story of the night's experiences.
”You are the same brave Harriet that we came to know so well at our camp in the Pocono Woods,” said Mrs. Livingston. ”There are not many like you; but we shall speak of your achievements later. Now I will draw the flap, and I do not wish to see it opened until sundown. I know that I may depend upon you to obey orders.”
Harriet nodded. ”There is something I should like to ask. Did you see anything of a sail boat in the bay this morning?”
”No. Why?”
”I saw one come in last night before the blow. It anch.o.r.ed in the cove. They had put out their lights before coming in, which made me wonder.”
”Are you sure about that?”
”Yes, I know. I wondered if they had been blown ash.o.r.e?”
”We should have known of it if such had been the case. But I can't understand what a boat could be doing in here. This is a remote place where people seldom come. That was why I chose it for our summer camping place. I will ask the girls if they saw anything of the boat you mention, but it is doubtful.”
”Another thing. Oh, I'm not going to keep you here talking with me all day.”
”No; I want to go to thleep,” interjected Grace.
”I saw a cabin down on that long point of land just this side of the bay. What is it?”
”A fisherman's cabin. It is not occupied, nor has it been in a very long time.”
”Then why can't we Meadow-Brook Girls use it while we are in camp? I should love to be down by the water, with the sea almost at my feet.”
”I should think you would have had enough of the sea, after your dreadful experience of last night,” laughed Mrs. Livingston.
”I am fascinated with the sea. It is wonderful! Do you think we could have the cabin?”
”I will consult with Miss Elting. If she thinks it wise, I will see what can be done. Of course, it is a little farther from the camp than I like. I prefer to have my girls where I can have an eye on them at all times. But the Meadow-Brook Girls can be depended upon to take care of themselves, save that they are too venturesome. Yes, I will see what can be done.”
”Oh, thank you ever so much,” answered Harriet with glowing eyes.
”Then, if we wish, we may sleep out on the sands when the nights are warm.”
”I shall have to think about that, my dear. Now go to sleep. This evening I shall have more to say.”
Tommy was already asleep. Harriet dropped into a heavy slumber within a very few moments after the Chief Guardian's departure. She did not awaken until the sun had dipped into the sea. As she forced herself to a realization of her surroundings, the merry chatter of voices was borne to her ears and the savory odor of camp cooking to her nostrils.
In the meantime an active day had been spent by the Camp Girls. There was much to be done, for the camp was in a confused condition after the storm of the preceding evening. A day of labor had given a keen zest to the appet.i.tes of the campers; added to this was the satisfaction of having completed their work. The camp now was in trim condition. Acting upon the orders of the Chief Guardian, the wood had been laid for a council fire. The orders had been issued for the girls to don ceremonial dress and report for a council at eight o'clock that evening.
The girls wondered what important subject was to come up for consideration, as it was not the evening for the regular weekly council fire that was always held during the summer encampment. Of all this Harriet was unaware. When she awakened she found dry clothing laid out for her to put on. The same had been done for Grace, who was still sleeping soundly. Harriet shook the little girl awake.
”It is nearly night, dear,” she said. ”How do you feel?”
Tommy blinked several times before replying. ”How do I feel? Not tho wet ath I did latht night. I thmell thupper!” exclaimed Tommy, sitting up suddenly.