Pearl said they would follow a path through the timber to the road; and she pointed out the direction through the window. Ruth saw the woman and girl strike into this very path and disappear.
So curiosity, too, led the oldest Corner House girl to agree to Pearls plan. The party of ten girls, including Ruth, Agnes, Tess and Dot Kenway, slipped out of the car without being questioned by any of the older people there. Nobody observed them enter the cool and fragrant woods. Chattering and laughing, they were quickly in the shadowy depths and out of sight of the hot train.
Oh, isnt this heavenly! cried Agnes, tossing up her hat by the ribbons that were supposed to tie it under her plump chin.
The green tunnel of the wood-path stretched a long way before them. It was paved with pine needles and last-years oak leaves.
Ruth looked sharply ahead, but did not see either the woman or the girl, in whom she was so much interested. Either they had gone on very rapidly, or had turned aside into the wood.
Dot had made no complaint upon being forced to leave the train; but she clung very tightly now to the Alice-doll, and finally ventured to ask Tess:
What what do you think is the chance for bears in this wood, Tess? Dont you think there may be some?
Bears? Whoever heard the like? Of course not, child, said Tess, in her most elder-sisterly way. What gave you such an idea as that?
Well its a strange woods, Tess. We arent really acquainted here.
But Pearl is, declared Tess, stoutly.
I dont care. Id rather have Tom Jonah with us. Suppose a bear should jump out and grab Alice? and she hugged the doll all the closer in her arms. For her own safety she evidently was not anxious.
The girls, after their ride in the train, were like young colts let loose in a paddock. They sang and laughed and capered; and when they came to a softly carpeted hollow, Pearl Harrod led the way and rolled down the slope, instead of walking down in a decorous manner, as high school young ladies should, quoth Carrie.
If our dear, de-ar teachers should see us now! gasped Pearl sitting up at the foot of the slide, with a peck of pine needles in her hair and her frock all tousled.
Their only baggage was the lunch baskets and boxes. All other of their personal possessions were on the train, in the baggage car. But the remains of the luncheons came in very nicely. Before they had gone a mile through the wood they were all loudly proclaiming their hunger.
So they found a spring, and camped about it, eating the remainder of the lunches to the very last
crumb. And such a hilarious feed as it was!
Ruth forgot all about the Gypsy woman and the girl who had so puzzled her by her actions. The rest by the spring refreshed even Dot. She was plucky, if she was little; and she made no complaint at all about the long walk through the stretch of timber.
The party did not hurry after that rest. It was still early in the afternoon and Pearl, referring to her watch, said they would surely catch the auto-stage that passed on the main road about four oclock.
You see, there are no servants at the bungalow yet, Pearl explained. Uncle has been taking his meals at one of the small boarding-houses nearby, that opens early. He is a great fisherman, and always goes down early and roughs it at the bungalow until my aunt comes down.
But she thought we girls would be able to get on all right with Uncle Phil to give us a hand if we need him. Well have to air bedclothes, and get in groceries, and otherwise start housekeeping to-night.
Why! it will be great fun, Ruth said. Just like playing house together.
Say! cried Agnes. We want more than play-house food to eat now I warn you! No sweet crackers and cambric tea for mine, if you please!
Oh! if I ask him, said Pearl, laughing, I know Uncle Phil will take us to his boarding-house to supper to-night if we get there late. But I want to show him what ten girls can do toward housekeeping.
Therell be plenty of cooks to spoil the broth, sighed Agnes. Did you ever see me fry an egg?
Ruth began to laugh. The single occasion when Agnes had tried her hand at the breakfast eggs was a day marked for remembrance at the old Corner House.
What can you do to a defenseless egg, Aggie? Lucy Poole demanded.
Plenty! declared Agnes, shaking her head. When I get through with an egg, a lump of butter, and a frying-pan, there is left a residue of charred what is it? in the bottom of the pan, an odor of burned grease in the kitchen and me in hysterics! It was an awful occasion when I tackled that egg. Ive not felt just right about approaching an egg since that never-to-be-forgotten day.
I was left home to cook for my father, once, said Carrie Poole, seriously, and he asked to have boiled rice for supper. Mother never let me cook much, and I didnt know a thing about rice .
But I saw the grains were awfully small, and I knew my father liked a great, heaping bowlful when he had it, so I told the grocery boy to bring two pounds, and I tried to cook it all.