THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP
by
LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
WATCHING THE SWALLOW'S FLIGHT.
_The Woodcraft Girls at Camp_. _Frontispiece_.]
THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP
by
LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
Author ofThe Woodcraft Girls in the City,Little Woodcrafter's Book,The Polly Brewster Books, etc.
Illustrated
New YorkGrosset & DunlapPublishers
Copyright, 1916,By George H. Doran Company
Printed in the United States of America
Sincere gratitude is tendered Mrs. Frederick Hoisington (Atma), of Woodcraft Indians, for valuable suggestions and her friendly assistance in making this story one of true Woodcraft life of the beginner.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
One The Chosen Land 13
Two Choosing a Camp Site 37
Three Discovery of the "Thinkerator" 59
Four Tribulations of the Campers 80
Five Some Amazing Things in Nature 100
Six The Mutiny of Nita 120
Seven Winners in Home-Cook and Mokodasso-Winini Degrees 137
Eight What Happened During a Thunder Storm 155
Nine Wickee and Cheokee Join the Camp 181
Ten The Letter that Saved Nita 207
Eleven Star Gazing from Pine Nob 236
Twelve Nita's Escapade and Reformation 255
Thirteen A Birthday Party in Camp 273
Fourteen Rainy Days and Woodcraft Lore 290
Fifteen The Thunder Bird Speaks 313
Sixteen The Council Fire Burns out the Dross 330
THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP
CHAPTER ONE
THE CHOSEN LAND
"Ooo-ooh! Oo-ooh! Nita!" called Suzanne Baker, as she skipped acrossthe small square of green grass that individualised the brownstonehouse where Anita Brampton lived.
No answer came, so Zan--as she was always called for short--impatientlyrepeated the call, adding after a moment's pause, "Where are you--comeon out!"
Still no reply, but the pretty face of Mrs. Brampton appeared at theglass door inside the vestibule. She smiled as she recognised thecaller and nodded for her to come in.
Zan ran up the steps and said, "How'd do, Mrs. Brampton--where's Nita?"
"Looking for you, most likely," laughed the lady of the house. Then, asher smile changed to a petulant look with the changing of her thought,she added, "Dear me! Nita is a sore trial. Did you ever know her toaccomplish anything without confusion to others?"
Zan knew from experience that that aggrieved tone meant a long harangueon Nita's shortcomings, so she hurriedly changed the subject.
"Well, as long as Nita isn't here I guess I'll run along to MissMiller's. They'll all be there waiting, I s'pose."
"All right, dearie; I have a little bridge party in the library, or Iwould give more time to you," replied Mrs. Brampton, daintily pattingdown a few stray wisps of blonde hair that fluttered in the breeze fromthe open door.
"Oh, I'm in a great hurry, anyway," returned Zan, starting out of thedoorway.
At that moment, a maid summoned Mrs. Brampton to the telephone sayingthat her daughter wished to speak with her.
"Wait a moment, Zan--Nita's on the 'phone and you can speak to herafter I see what she wants," said Mrs. Brampton, turning back.
Zan followed to the small nook where the telephone was kept and stoodwaiting. Laughter and the sound of coins drew her attention to thebridge players in the large library.
Mrs. Brampton finished speaking with her daughter, saying, "Zan ishere--wait a second and I'll put her on the wire."
Turning to hand Zan the receiver, she whispered, "When you are throughhere run to the dining-room and have a glass of wine and cake--it isall ready for my friends."
"Oh, no, thank you, Mrs. Brampton! You know Daddy doesn't approve ofus having wine. We always drink water at home," replied Zan, flushinguncomfortably.
"Dear me, I forgot! The doctor is _such_ a radical on these littlethings!" laughed the lady merrily, patting the girl consolingly on theshoulder with much-beringed hands.
She hastened back to her guests while Zan called, "Hello, Nita! Whereare you, anyway?"
"Ha, ha ha! We're all at Miss Miller's? Why don't you hurry over, too,"came a musical voice over the wire.
"Just because you didn't do as I said! I told you distinctly to waitfor me at the school-gates. You knew I'd be a few minutes late onaccount of seeing my Latin teacher after school. I asked Bob if he hadseen you--he was waiting for some boys in front of the gate--but hesaid you had hurried away with the girls. So I stopped in here thinkingyou may have gone home."
There was a moment's silence, then a petulant voice, so like Mrs.Brampton's that Zan smiled, said, "Dear me! I'm sure it isn't my faultif you didn't meet us! Why all of the girls should bother to hangaround waiting for you, is more than I can tell!"
"Well, seeing that the whole plan is mine, and not one of you girlswould have been in on it if I hadn't asked you, it seems mightyungrateful to act so, that's all I have to say!" and Zan jabbed up thereceiver on its hook.
She threw a glance of disapproval at the card players who werequarrelling over the stakes, and hurried out, leaving the maid to closethe doors.
A few moments later she was on a cross-town car. Thinking of the houseshe had just left, with its mistress dressed in silks and sparklingwith jewels, she murmured to herself, "Huh! I'd a heap rather have ourcomfy home with all the boys' marks and scratches on the mission woodthan all of the gorgeous damask and gilt of Nita's home! We enjoy ourlife at home, but gracious! at Nita's it's always, 'Don't touch that,dearie!' or 'Be careful, that vase cost a fortune;' a girl can't evenskip over the floor without having Mrs. Brampton cry, 'Oh, mercy! Thatvelour carpet will all be worn out!'"
The conductor, in passing down the aisle heard the girl mutter andstopped to ask her if she spoke to him.
Zan laughed amiably as she looked up at him and said, "No, I was justthinking out loud!"
The man smiled too, and returned to his post while Zan looked out ofthe window to see what street they were near. Finding that the nextcorner was the one she wished to reach, she signalled to stop the car.
As she stood on the platform waiting for the car to come to a stop, thekind old conductor said, "Not many young folks think at all, but it isbest to do your thinking quiet-like so others don't get a chance tohear your plans. S'pose every inventor did his thinking aloud, whatchance would he have to get his patent?"
Zan nodded thoughtfully and thanked the wise old man for the advice. Heassisted her to jump down and smiled as he watched her hurry down theside street.
As she went, Zan thought, "That man is a philosopher! I must be carefuland not think out loud after this. Thinking is good practice but Iguess it all depends on what kind of thinking you do--good--bad--orindifferent!"
With this sage conclusion Zan reached Miss Miller's home. She asked theelevator boy to take her up to Apartment 9, and, as soon as the floorwas reached, she bounded out and rang the bell at the side of the door.
Of the five girls about to meet for the formi
ng of a Clan of WoodcraftIndians, no two were alike in character or physique. Zan was of thetom-boy type, fond of athletics and all out-door sport with her twobrothers, who were near her own age. Her hands and feet, although beingwell-shaped, were large and tanned. The finely poised head was crownedwith a mass of bronze-red hair that had no hint of wave in its longstrands. Energy, endurance, and impatience were expressed in her everymovement and expression while sympathy, generosity, and frankness werethe attributes that go hand in hand with such a temperament as Zan's.Her parents were most sensible and clothed the girl in comfortable,well-made things of first-class material, but ignored ridiculous stylesor customs which might distract an expanding thought from practicalaffairs and limit it to fashion and self-contemplation. Of course, Zanhad never worn stays, tight shoes, or cramping gloves, and was givenwholesome food with no indulgence in the kind that impedes digestionor causes fermentation to blood and brain. As a result, the girlpossessed a normal, perfectly healthy body, clear eyes, wonderful skin,and looked like fourteen years of age instead of twelve, the lastbirthday having been celebrated a few weeks previously to the openingof this story. In school, she was in the class of girls where each oneregistered thirteen and a half to fourteen years of age. And she wasgenerally at the head of her class, at that.
Anita Brampton was the most decided contrast to Zan of all theschool-mates. She was just past fourteen but so under-sized and slenderthat she looked like twelve, albeit, she was most sophisticated inlife, and made the most of her dainty prettiness. Her great eyesof blue, so like a wax-doll's, were used to their best advantage,while her graceful little body generally posed effectively. Her paleyellow hair was artificially curled about a pink and white face, notaltogether free from some of her mother's powder and rouge. Her handsand feet were too small and the rose-bud mouth too petulant for beauty.But Nita had absolute faith in her perfection. She was most indolentand over-fond of sweets and dancing; in fact, the latter art wasindulged to such an extent that it became a crime. She attended everyparty she could secure an invitation to and, being a graceful danceralways dressed in the latest mode, she never lacked partners. Theseyouths, several years her senior, vied with each other for her daringwords and suggestive glances, yet not one of them would care to haveher for an intimate friend of his sister's. As a result of wasting thenight hours, Nita was delicate, nervous and prematurely blase, when sheshould have been most vital and abounding with fine health.
Elena Marsh was a pretty girl with a yearning for the artistic. She wasclever with brush and pen and promised to accomplish something worthwhile if a well-meaning but over-severe mother could be made to see theblight she forced on the girl's ambitions. To Mrs. Marsh, success wasfound through tiresome ways of practice for hours, when fingers grew tocramped to firmly grasp a pencil. She never realised that inspirationoften came from absolute change of occupation. Then too, she was sofearful of fresh air, or athletics, that she actually kept Elena coopedup like a hot-house flower.
Jane Hubert was a dark-complexioned type, impulsive, opinionated,intelligent. Jane and her twin-brother Jack were indulged by wealthyparents who threatened to spoil their promising future unless somekind interference occurred. The Huberts had an Adirondack camp wherethe twins had found great sport in out-door life, and thus Jane hadacquired an intense love of taking pictures. She had a splendid cameraand was quite expert in developing and printing pictures.
Hilda Alvord was a generous, good-natured girl with no claim to beautyor wealth, but her perfect health and optimism gave her a pleasingexpression which attracted friends much quicker than Nita's petulantbeauty. Hilda's father had passed away when Brother was but a fewweeks old. Mrs. Alvord was left with the two children but no meanswith which to provide for them. It was necessary that something bedone immediately, so Dr. Baker, the family physician, advised her totake charge of a case of his where patience and motherly care weremore important than trained nursing. Mrs. Alvord acquitted herselfso well that she found all the nursing she could accept thereafter.This left the care of the baby to Hilda, as well as most of the lighthouse-keeping. The stress of circumstances never worried Hilda however,and she was a great favourite with the school-girls and teachers.She was an ardent worshipper of Nature and anything in plant-life orflowers secured her entire attention. The windows of the modest roomswhere the Alvords lived, were always a tangle of riotous bloom andvines.
As Zan rang the bell of Miss Miller's apartment, a bevy of laughinggirls ran to open the door. Miss Miller stood in the doorway of theliving-room smiling as they all escorted Zan to greet their hostess.
"Thank goodness, you're here at last! We're all crazy to get down tobrass tacks!" cried Hilda, the apostle of slang.
"'Tisn't my fault if I'm late--ask Nita what kind of date she made thenwent ahead and broke it!" pouted Zan angrily.
"Well, you're here, so let the mistake pass," said Hilda.
Miss Miller had seated herself at the desk while the girls selectedcomfortable seats and waited for her to begin.
"Zan, we were wondering whether the Adirondack plan is the best forall concerned. Just before you arrived, Nita was saying that shewouldn't go to any poky camp near home. She has set her heart on theAdirondacks, it seems."
Zan turned in amazement toward Nita. "Why, you told me that you'd beglad to go anywhere as long as you could get away from your mother'snagging!"
The girls laughed, and Miss Miller had to bite her lip to keep fromsmiling at Zan's frank manner of telling the truth.
"Oh, that was before Jane's brother told me about the Adirondacks. Theyhad a camp there last summer, you know, and he says that it's loads offun 'cause so many people camp about the same water, or lake, and everyevening they have dancing, or parties, or moon-light outings," repliedNita, undisturbed by Zan's bluntness.
"That's what _he_ said, just because he thought we were going backthere this summer and it would be fun for him to have you there togo around with. But father changed his mind this week, and has leaseda cottage at the sea-shore instead. Jack wouldn't be so eloquent overthe mountains if you should ask him now!" said Jane, who disapproved ofNita's winning ways with her twin.
Nita said nothing, but thought over the unexpected news.
"Well, any one else got a kick coming?" asked Zan, impatiently.
The girls giggled for they well knew that at school Miss Miller wouldhave reprimanded such slang.
No further remarks were heard in complaint, so Miss Miller asked Zan ifshe had any news to place before them; if not they would discuss theadvantage of camping in mountains or country near by.
"Yes, I have!" retorted Zan, emphatically. "I asked the crowd to meethere so's I could tell you all what Daddy offered us this noon. He sayswe can have Wickeecheokee Farm for our very own all summer if we wantit!"
Zan sprung her news with an air of having delivered an all-inclusivereason for accepting the farm offer at once. The faces about her provedthat the news did not create the joy she looked for.
"Say, what's the matter with that! Isn't it great?" cried she,impatiently.
"Who wants to camp on a farm?" said Nita, derisively.
"You were crazy to go there last summer--since when have you changedyour mind?" asked Zan, frowning.
"A camp's not a camp unless it is the wilderness, and you certainlycan't claim _that_ for your old farm," pouted Nita.
"My dears, I wish to say a word about the offer," interceded MissMiller. "I think the doctor's offer at this opportune time is splendid!Hilda was saying just before you came in, Zan, that she didn't seewhere she could earn enough money to pay her fare to the Adirondacksand back this summer. And Mrs. Marsh won't consent to Elena's goingso far away. She's worried for fear Elena will become ill and needher. Then, too, girls, I would rather not spend so much of my salaryon car-fare this season, as I have had extra expenses to carry for mymother's illness this spring."
"Have you thought of anything else, Miss Miller?" asked Jane, whoseemed to be as pleased with Zan's idea as any other.
/> "Not yet, for Zan told me this noon before school that she had a placejust made to order for us. Woods, water, gardens and all that heartcould desire! I suspected the location of this Eden so did not try tofind anything else until after this meeting."
"If Elena's mother doesn't want her to go too far off, the farm will bejust the place for her," said Zan.
"But, Zan, I don't want mother popping in on us all summer just as weget interested in swimming or climbing. She'd make me come out of thewater and roll myself in hot blankets to keep off a chill!" complainedElena, dolorously.
The girls laughed sympathetically, for they all knew of Mrs. Marsh'sfears and foibles.
"No danger of your mother dropping in that way," giggled Zan. "Our farmis a hundred and fifty miles from here, on a branch of an old-timerailroad. When you reach the last station you still have to ride tenmiles in a springless wagon over rough roads. Ha, ha! I see any of yourmothers anxious to visit you after that!"
"_I'd_ be glad to go there, for you know the saying, 'beggars can't bechoosers,'" said Hilda.
"I'll go anywhere the rest of you go," added Jane.
"Then, taking Zan's word for our seclusion, I'll agree too," saidElena, eagerly.
"And I have already agreed with pleasure," came from Miss Miller.
"It goes without saying, that _I_ am all for the farm," said Zan,looking at Nita for her answer.
"I don't suppose I have any choice in the matter! As long as all of youhave voted against me, I shall have to accept your verdict," whinedNita.
"You don't have to do anything of the sort! You can join a crowdof girls who all want to do just what you do--fool away the wholesummer on dancing or flirting. _We're_ not going in for that kind ofa riot, and you can just make up your mind to having a good old restand all-round country life, if you chum with us!" came from Zan, inemphatic tones.
"I don't know why you always pick on me, Zan! I declare, any one wouldthink you had a special grudge against me," cried Nita, plaintively.
"Pooh! Nita, you know just as well as I do that I have to talk to youstraight out from the shoulder to put any sort of go into you! Dad sayshe thinks you'd fade away entirely if it wasn't for my pep!" retortedZan, then turning to Miss Miller with an air that closed the foregoingincident:
"Have you any papers or books here about the Woodcrafters?"
"Yes, Zan, I'll run and get them. Meantime, suppose you girls indite aletter to the doctor and thank him for the generous offer of the farm,"said Miss Miller, glad of an excuse to get out of the room while theletter was under discussion.
"Then you are all set on that farm?" queried Nita.
"Why, sure! Did you dream anything else?" asked Hilda.
"I'll have to give in too, I s'pose!" sighed Nita.
Zan sent her a glance that was wasted, so she shrugged her shoulders asshe took up a sheet of paper and a pen.
The letter of thanks was carefully written and given to Zan to deliverto her father that night. This matter disposed of, Miss Miller spreadout the papers she had brought from her room.
"Girls, to tell the truth, I am greatly relieved to know we will startour experiment where we can secure 'ready aid' if necessary. I almostregretted my offer to take you to camp this summer when I had time tothink of all it entailed. But the farm will be just the place for us toget acquainted with each other's home-characteristics and, at the sametime, permit us to provide a balance in our treasury for a mountaincamp next summer. By that time we ought to have a Tribe of twenty ormore members, I should think," said Miss Miller, with a sigh.
The teacher was a wise trainer of girls and realised that a wordpro or con would settle the question for all season regarding anydissatisfaction in selecting the camping ground. If the girls thoughtthey would have to choose between giving up the delightful camp-planor accept the farm, naturally they would take the farm. Then, too,she knew that abstract ideas would not have the same impression asactual facts, so she took a package of kodak pictures taken at thefarm, and passed them to the girls. Exclamations of delight, surprise,and anticipation were the result. Even Nita felt a semblance to mildenthusiasm as she looked at the beautiful scenes of woods, rocks,water-falls and streams.
"Now, suppose we make notes of what will be needed for the summer incamp," suggested Miss Miller, after a short time. "I am going to takemy butterfly-net and outfit so that you girls can make similar ones andcollect some of the beautiful creatures. Then, too, I have ordered abead-loom for a model, and as soon as we have each made a loom, we willbegin weaving head-bands and the trimmings for our robes. But theseare items to be classed later; we must start on necessities first, andart second, I suppose."
"My goodness! That reminds me, Miss Miller! I almost forgot the mostimportant point in Dad's offer! He says we can use anything in thehouse that we want, besides the vegetables and fruit of the gardens.The boys had some tents last summer when they took a trip with Dad upthe Delaware River. Two are in good order and Bob says the three cotsare O. K. as long as we are not too particular about mattresses. Muzzertold me we could have any dishes or kitchen utensils we might need, aswell as the pickles and preserves from the cellar."
"Why, Zan! Why didn't you tell this before! I bet you wouldn't haveheard one dissenting word, with jam and jelly offered us," cried Hilda,smacking her lips.
"Not only that, but just think of the expense we can save! Why, I thinkit is just splendid!" added Miss Miller.
The others were delighted to a degree that gave Zan much pleasure, forshe loved to have her parents' generosity appreciated.
"After all that, maybe our letter to the doctor is tame?" venturedHilda.
"Oh, no! It's all right--I'll explain to them at home," replied Zan,eager to continue the camp plans.
Miss Miller returned to the papers and Manual of Woodcraft Indians. Sheread aloud the various items mentioned for the guidance of beginners,and the girls made notes of things as the ideas appealed to them. Theteacher looked over the memos and read aloud:
"Extra tents--cots--material for costumes--shoes for hiking--one-piecesuit for swimming--blankets--duffle-bags--toilet articles," and thenumerous personal things girls would want during the summer.
"We can wear our gym suits at camp until we have made regular Woodcraftrobes," suggested Miss Miller.
"Yes, and we'll have a good opportunity to wear our last year'ssneakers and hiking shoes," added Jane.
"Oh! We'll save the sneakers for the tennis court!" exclaimed Zan,suddenly.
"Tennis! Anything more down there on the farm to surprise us with?"cried Hilda, eagerly.
"Sure! Did you think the boys and I spent several summers there doingnothing? Why, we've got a dandy croquet ground, and a child's editionof a golf course--limited!" laughed Zan, thinking of the area coveredby their golf.
"Zan had better not tell us of any more delights awaiting us or we willnot be content to take the balance of our examinations at school!"advised Miss Miller, smiling.
"That wouldn't affect your reports of us at school," retorted Zan.
Miss Miller was physical culture teacher at the school the girlsattended and was a great favourite with all. She was an enthusiasticadvocate of outdoor life and was constantly urging her pupils to acceptthe simple life of Nature.
At Zan's remark, she said earnestly, "Not my branch of school-work,no! But the grand total in education for which I work, as a part ofthe great machine, would be injured if I did not try to help you allin your educational efforts. I believe that education is necessary toelevate the race. You see, it is not a class that must be lifted andbenefited most, but the mass! In education of the individual we finallyembrace the universal. Thus, it depends upon each one of us to makegood--in school studies, at home, in camp--in fact, in every littlething or thought!"
"We'll make good, all right, Miss Miller, as long as we have you toshow us how!" cried Hilda, admiringly.
"Yes, indeedy!" added Zan.
The latter part of the talk was far above Nita's head, but she had bee
nquietly thinking of other things. At the pause which followed Zan'sexclamation, she asked, "Is the car going to be sent down for us touse, Zan?"
"Car! What for?" wondered Zan.
"Why, to get to the stores in the town and carry back our provisions,of course! Then, too, we will want to see the country, won't we?" saidNita, surprised.
"Ha! There isn't a store within ten miles, but 'most everything growsright on the farm. A butcher calls twice a week, and eggs, butter,milk, and chickens are provided by Bill," explained Zan.
"Bill! Who's Bill?" asked some of the girls eagerly.
"Why, Bill's the farmer, of course. He lives in the farmer's cottageand looks after the place all winter, besides taking care of thegardens, cow and chickens all the year round. He works the place onshares in preference to a salary, and likes it first-rate, he says,"replied Zan.
"Oh, we didn't know there was a resident farmer. When you mentionedtennis and croquet, to say nothing of the golf-links, you failed togive us a hint of farmer or wife," said Miss Miller.
"Well, I had my mind full of sports, you see, and I never class Bill asa sport!" laughed Zan, the others joining her.
"What's he like?" queried Jane, while Nita added, "Has he any sons?"
"Nita thinks, 'better a farmer than no son at all!'" teased Hilda, forNita's preference for boys was no secret with the girls.
"Bill hasn't any family, but he will act as her escort if she needs adrive about the country for her health!" laughed Zan. "Bill is slow andstaid, as well as lank and lean. He is forever twirling a wisp of grassbetween his teeth while he is interviewing you. He swears by his wife'sjudgment and his deepest concern is her 'rheumatics.' Mrs. Sherwoodcomplains of 'stiff jints' during winter and claims that this keepsher from exercising enough to keep down extra flesh. Consequently, sheis as big and round as a balloon, and wheezes and gasps when she talks.But they're all right, where good-nature and generosity is concerned,and will do anything for us."
"I'm sure I wouldn't be seen going out with _such_ a freak!" criedNita, disdainfully.
"I don't believe Bill would take you, to tell the truth, Nita. He isold-fashioned and doesn't favour French heels and low-necked dresses.He is most orthodox and thinks such frills a sin and a breach of thecommandments!" laughed Zan.
"How will we reach the farm, Zan, if it is so far from the station andno way to get there?" asked Elena, dubiously.
"Oh, Bill will get us there, even if he carries us in the old springwagon, which is preferable to the vehicle he used the first time weever visited the farm," exclaimed Zan, following her words with acontagious laugh, rocking back and forth until the girls demanded toknow what caused her mirth.
"Oh, girls! If you could have stood on that platform as the boys andI did, waiting for the 'carriage' that we expected to take us to thefarm! Never will I forget it as long as I live!"
Again Zan had to laugh so heartily that she was urged to share herhumour with her friends.
"Dad had been down to look over his wonderful 'suburban investment,'as we called it then, and had been met at the train by Bill with hisbuck-board. When we were ready to go, Bill was notified how many wouldarrive. Nothing was to be seen as we jumped off the car and lookedabout. Fields, fences, and a long stretch of railroad tracks, and backof us a hundred yards or so, the tiny village. After a game of tag withthe boys, I spied something moving into sight over the brow of thehill. I called Dad's attention to it and he declared it was our Jehuand the taxi! Well! I wish some one had taken a snapshot of that rig!
"It was of the Noah's Ark type, and the nags to pull it had long sincecelebrated their thirtieth birthday! We found out afterwards thatDad ventured to warn Bill about driving safe horses and told him hownervous Mrs. Baker was with young untrained steeds. Bill wanted to beon the safe side, I guess, so he hooked up his plough-team. It tookus four hours to cover the ten miles! And when we finally got to thehouse, we all ached from the jouncing and strain of holding to thesides of the wagon."
"Good gracious! you don't expect us to ride in that thing!" cried Nita,dismayed.
"Why not--it was good enough for me!" retorted Zan.
"No, she doesn't, Nita, for I heard the doctor telephone to the farmasking some one to meet us with the spring cart, so I am afraid I shallnot have the experience that Zan had that first visit," laughed MissMiller, hoping to calm Nita's fear.
"Well, I'd rather stay home than ride and make a spectacle of myselflike that!" said Nita, disdainfully.
"There wasn't a single boy within ten miles to have seen you if you hadbeen there!" scorned Zan.
"Come, come, girls! Stop arguing and come back to business. There'sstill much to decide," remonstrated Miss Miller.
"Yes, I agree with Miss Miller! What's next?" asked Jane.
Thereupon, the teacher read over the various pages of the WoodcraftManual, stopping often to suggest ideas, or tell the girls to make anote on their pads.
"Besides these printed articles, we will need pads to take notes uponwhen we go on a hike, or study birds and plants. Then, too, we must besure to take a good camera and win some _coups_ that way. Jane, youhave a fine one, maybe you can take yours. Elena, you must be sureto take your paints and brushes, and Hilda will take her embroiderythings. We must try for all the degrees and _coups_ we can possiblyhope for this summer."
"Oh, Miss Miller! And I might try for a _coup_ in flowers, as I lovethat work, and have been complimented on my good work!" exclaimed Hilda.
"Of course! Jane, make a note of taking plenty of blue print paper anda frame," added the teacher.
"Hilda, be sure to pack your botany books! Between us, we ought toidentify lots of beautiful specimens and make a lovely book of ourprints!" cried Jane, thoroughly roused by the thought.
"Dear, dear! Can't some one think of a specialty in which we excel?"asked Elena, anxiously.
"We each can win a _coup_ by knowing fifty wild flowers, and Hildamight try for a grand _coup_ by finding a hundred. Then, we will alltry for _coups_ in knowing stars, butterflies, swimming, birds, andother knowledge as set forth in the Manual," replied Miss Miller,enthusiastically.
"Oh, pshaw! Why can't we start this week? I'm so crazy to begin I justknow I won't be able to concentrate on my school exams all through thisand next week!" sighed Jane.
"Then you'll lose a grand _coup_ in education! One must learn to useself-control in all things. When school is over the reward will proveall the sweeter for the hard work that preceded it," remonstrated MissMiller.
After other minor items had been noted, and the decision made for khakiclothes for ordinary wear, to save the leather robe for ceremonialoccasions, the teacher could think of nothing more to be discussed atthat meeting. It was growing dark out of doors and lessons remained tobe studied that night, so she brought the first meeting to a close.
At dinner that evening, Zan presented her father with the letterof thanks signed by the girls of the new Clan. He read it withsatisfaction and passed it over to his wife.
"I hope for great work this summer, Zan," ventured the doctor.
"You can't hope for more than we do," retorted Zan, gaily. "You justought to have been with us when we discussed the items needed for campwork. Every one is crazy to begin--all except Nita."
"Humph! And she is the one I expect more from than all of youcombined!" said the doctor, thoughtfully.
"Oh, you know Nita, Dad! She'll want to leave the next day when shefinds there aren't any boys about to flirt with. And the very idea ofher helping at the camp work makes me laugh! If she lasts a full week,I'll miss my guess!" replied Zan, tossing her bronze hair.
"Zan, do you want to do Dad a great favour?" asked the doctor,anxiously.
"Now you know, Dad, I'd eat my head off for you!" cried Zan, throwingher arms about her father's neck and squeezing him.
"Then watch your words and acts regarding Nita--be most considerate ofher and have patience! She is mentally diseased and no one realisesthat she needs healing. This experience with four healthy-
minded girlsmay prove her salvation in after life. I am putting it up to you,Zan, to see that your nursing of this peculiar invalid does not tendto prolong the malady, but will nip the growth of the trouble in itspresent stage. Perhaps a few months hence would be too late, and acure would be impossible. I rely on you, daughter, to help in thiscure!"
Zan's brothers, Frederick, nicknamed Fiji on account of hisunmanageable hair, and Bobs, short for Robert, had left the dining-roomto study their lessons. Mrs. Baker, the doctor and Zan remained, sothat an uninterrupted silence followed the serious words of the doctor.
Zan sighed heavily, and finally looked up at her father with a brightsmile. "I'll do it, if it takes all the spice out of camp-life!"
The doctor smiled as he replied, "It won't, Zan! In fact, you'll haveall the better fun for knowing in your own heart that you are doing aduty as well as pleasing your Dad!"
"And while the boys and I are enjoying the days at the beach, I willfeel happier than otherwise, to know you are showing your companionswhat real joy and contentment means when found in natural out-doorliving," added Mrs. Baker.