“How far is it to Second Trott’s?” asked Marion.
“Opinions differ, but on our hikes it is always considered a five-mile hike there and back, or to the school-house, which is not far beyond. What sort of a performance, by the way, are they going to have there? Do either of you know what we are going to do?”
“Why, yes, Frances,” replied Hilary. “They said it was a lawn fete, or something of the sort, and that we could buy ice cream and candy and lemonade, maybe other things.”
“I wonder if they will not let the boys come up, too,” said Marion.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see them,” Frances assented.
Hilary had not thought of that, but her mind immediately visualized a certain young councillor whom she would be very glad to see.
Soon they reached the turn in the road after Second Trott’s. With a gentle rise it wound around some fine old rocks, on whose top grew great pine trees. In these a little flock of chickadees was turning somersaults. Further on was a bit of backwater, near which grew some water plants, and a line of brilliant cardinal flowers. Climbing along steep and dusty hill, the girls found themselves in sight of the white school house, known as Chopp’s. There, indeed, was a group of Boothbay boys, some just arriving as the Merrymeeting campers came up. They had come by a different way, upstream from Boothbay Camp, then docking at the mainland, on the opposite side of the back water, which makes a peninsula out of Merrymeeting.
The first thing was to cool off a little and enjoy ice cream and other goodies afforded by the ladies who served the refreshments. Home-made cake, candy and nuts proved popular. The lemonade, alas, was all gone before the Merrymeeting girls arrived, but there was plenty of cool water. Campbell was looking for Hilary, afraid that perhaps she was not coming, and walked to meet the girls, as they approached. “Where’s Cathalina?” he asked.
“She and Betty stayed with Lilian. Lil twisted her ankle this morning, not much, but enough to keep her from any long hike. I promised to bring her some sweets.”
“Well, come on, girls, before everything is gone, and I’ll see that you get some ice cream and cake.”