Maria had a steaming chicken stew for them, with fluffy white dumplings that showed no sign of being "spoilt"; in fact, she had not cooked them until after the family's return.
"Was there ever anything so good!" exclaimed Dolly as she received a second portion of the fricassee.
"Everything tastes good up here," said Dotty, "but Maria sure is a dandy on stewed chicken. But go easy, Doll, for I happen to know there's an Apple Betty to follow and just you wait till you see that!"
But Dolly's camp appetite was quite equal to the Apple Betty also, which was, as Dolly had predicted, a triumph in the matter of desserts.
"I feel as if I had been to a party," Dolly said as they left the table. "I believe I've eaten more to-day than I do in a week at home."
"It's the air," said Mr. Rose. "Crosstrees' air is the greatest appetiser known to man. If I could bottle it and sell it, I'd make my everlasting fortune. Now, may I ask what you young ladies have on hand for this afternoon?"
"Nothing particular," said Dotty. "Why?"
"Because I asked a few young people from the neighbouring camps to come over here for awhile."
"A party?" cried Genie. "Oh, Daddy, a party?"
"Not exactly a party; only half a dozen of the Norrises and Holmeses."