“Why, here he comes!” interrupted Maud. “Now girls, don’t seem impressed by his looks!”
“I’m not!” said Alice, stoutly, forcing herself to believe the truth of her assertion.
The man who came toward them was dressed in a gray riding suit, so conservative in color and cut, that it presented a decided contrast to the flashy costumes of the younger boys. He was tall, a perfect figure, with big square shoulders. His face would have been handsome had his expression been less disagreeable. Alice immediately marked him for a cynic.
When he had come within a few yards of the porch, however, he seemed to change his mind about going any further, for, hesitating only a moment, he abruptly turned about and retraced his steps to his cabin.
Bob Hilton, who was already standing in order to make him acquainted with the new arrivals, whistled softly, and dropped again into his seat.
“He evidently didn’t like our looks!” remarked Alice.
“That’s just the sort of queer, rude thing he is always doing,” said Maud. “What Rene sees in him—”
“Oh, I guess I sort of like him just because of his indifference,” returned the other girl. “Come, let’s change the subject! I really think we had better give you girls some instructions about clothes. Those dainty dresses you have on are entirely too good for here. They wouldn’t last two days!”
Like most girls, the scouts were all interested in the topic of dress, and discussed it with animation until the supper bell interrupted them.
It was not until everyone was seated in the dining-room that the young man who had been the cause of so much talk finally put in his appearance. He acknowledged the introduction to the girls with a brief bow, and took his place next to Mrs. Hilton.