Her grandfather shook his head thoughtfully. “I understand, Pickings. She is too apprehensive; it’s her way, but maybe we can get her used to a different point of view; it will have to be done gradually, of course. Meantime this old fellow will keep an eye on you and if he finds you are overstepping bounds he will pull you up short. It is to be understood that both you and your grandmother must obey this doctor’s orders.”
So was Joanne launched, her grandfather her aid and abettor in many of the activities heretofore denied her. She passed her Tenderfoot tests successfully and started out enthusiastically to acquire the knowledge necessary to become a Second Class Scout, which rank she intended to lose no time in gaining.
“You’re a perfect sponge,” declared Winnie Merryman, herself a First Class Scout. “I never saw any one soak up information as you do. Here you are forging ahead in every direction like a steam engine.”
Joanne laughed. “Steam engines don’t usually go in every direction; those old army tanks do that. Besides, you see, I knew some of the things already. There are the points of the compass; of course I know those and how to box it, then I know a lot about steamers and tides and things, and what to do in case of fire. Grad taught me those ages ago. Can you ride horseback, Win?”
“A little; at least I can stick on.”
“Then you can ride Chico. Did I tell you that Grad has promised to give him to me for my very own as soon as I have learned to ride? He is such a darling, a little rough mountain pony. The cut of his jib is more like that of a horse than a pony such as you usually see.”
Winnie laughed. “You use so many funny expressions, sailor-like ones.”
“That’s because I belong to the navy,” returned Joanne proudly, at which speech Winnie laughed again.
Joanne chose to ignore the laugh and went on: “If we fall off we won’t fall very far, but I don’t intend to fall off; I mean to stick no matter what. We’ll go out to Cousin Ned’s some day and you can see Chico and Pablo, too. You can go, can’t you?”
“Oh, Jo, I’d just adore to go, but”—she hesitated, “shouldn’t I wait for an invitation from your cousin?”