CHAPTER XVII.
THE SCOUT PARTY.
Marjorie and Daisy slept well that night in the cabin, in spite of the hardness of their beds. They were too tired to dream about the strange revelation which they had just heard. When they awoke, they both felt cheerful; even Daisy had shaken off the unhappiness which Kirk’s despair had caused her the night before. In the bright sunlight of this fresh, beautiful day she was ready to believe that her sister was still alive.
“Daisy,” said Marjorie, as they were dressing, “do you know I feel more than ever as if I would like to give up everything else to find your sister. It seems as if something could be done. What do you think?”
“Yes, I think something more could. In the first place, we haven’t told any of our friends, or Olive’s friends, for fear of notoriety. But I think that’s a mistake. Lots of people might see Olive somewhere and not think to mention the fact to us.”
“And is that your mother’s wish?” asked Marjorie.
“Yes, to keep it all as quiet as possible. I have been begging her to make the thing public—even to come out in the newspapers with a statement—and she has promised to do it in September if nothing happens before then.”
“Kirk doesn’t seem to want to do anything either, does he?”
“No, he certainly has surrendered to despair. Well, Marj, I’m glad to know about him, for we can maybe do something to make his life brighter during the rest of the visit. And—speaking of that—suppose we go out now, and see whether we can get his breakfast.”
But much to their surprise, the girls found their breakfast all prepared for them. Kirk laughed good-naturedly at their amazement in finding the work all done.