“I haven’t a particle,” he said contemptuously. “He has his picture taken too often.”
The others returned at this juncture and we set out upon the difficulties of our homeward journey. But never mind, it was all very delightful and I never shall forget the beauty of that rocky glade.
When we returned to the camp, we found Mrs. Meredith Jones asleep and Miss Page keeping watch. The men had all gone fishing and Mr. Nugent and Mr. Latimer hastened to join them. Miss Page looked refreshed but turned to me a perturbed face.
“I cannot believe it is possible that we are all going to sleep in there,” she said. “Why, it is shocking! I begged Mr. Van Worden to put up a partition, but he says it is quite impossible, that there won’t be room to turn over, as it is. I wish I hadn’t come. Suppose it should get out? Why, people would be horrified.”
“Really,” I said, “I think you take an exaggerated view. We are all going to bed with our clothes on, the camp is open, there are nine of us, and our chaperons will sleep in the middle. We may not be comfortable but I think the proprieties will take care of themselves.”
“I think it is shocking,” she said, “perfectly shocking. It seems so coarse and horrid. I’ll remember it as long as I live.”
I felt like shaking her, but she looked so distressed that I said soothingly: “Please don’t worry. I will sleep next to Mrs. Meredith Jones and you can tuck away in the corner where no one can see you and you will be quite forgotten.”
“Yes,” she replied quickly, “I insist upon having the corner—particularly as you don’t mind,” she added apologetically. “You are quite different from my idea of English girls. I should have thought that you would be simply horrified.”
“Perhaps we are more matter-of-fact than you are,” I said drily. “Where a thing can’t be helped it can’t, and we are sensible about it. Now, I am surprised at you. I had always supposed that American girls——”
“Oh, don’t!” she exclaimed. “You are going to judge us all by those horrid things you meet in Europe and in novels. I can assure you that Southern girls—gentlewomen—are as particular as English girls—more so, I reckon. Do you realise that we are going to sleep in the same room with six men?”