“But we’ve had lovely days for all the important sight-seeing. Do you remember how perfectly bright and wonderful it was that day on the St. Lawrence? The water sparkled and foamed, and the sky was so blue,—”
“Listen to Lilian, our optimist,” spoke Hilary. “She’s our mascot for good weather. By the way, Miss West, I have to get some sneakers and a bathing cap in Bath.”
“So do I,” said Evelyn and Betty together, whereat they turned, made mysterious signs and repeated “thumbs” together.
“How many million years have girls done that?” asked Patricia. “We shall have quite a little shopping to do at Bath, but all the stores are near together. I need ink, some tablets and magazines. Whoever comes down the river for us will probably have a lot of errands to do, as usual. We’ll do ours and then go down to the dock and wait. It will not be later than four o’clock, I think, when we start up the river.”
It was the little Papoose from the boys’ camp that came for them. On account of the drizzle, the canopy was up, an affair not unlike the top of a prairie schooner, but, alas, not as high. Some of the occupants had to assume a bending posture. Helen declared that she had a “puhmahnent cuhve” in her back, and for weeks Hilary referred to the submarine stunt of their first arrival. But it was fun to peep out at the water, the rocks, and the green trees that lined the banks, and the Papoose safely chugged her way to Merrymeeting.
“Here we are; hooray for Merrymeeting!” cried Jean, as she stepped upon Merrymeeting’s floating dock and ran lightly up to the more solid portion above the washing of tides; for the Kennebec is affected by the sea tides, and as far up as Merrymeeting Bay there is a difference of from six to eight feet in the depth of the water, according to the tide.
Up the little rise they filed to the level ground which stretches broadly at the river front and holds the big dining hall and the boat house; then again they proceeded up the gradual ascent to the Club House, which is the center of Merrymeeting life. There the girls were welcomed and assigned to the different “Klondikes” or cottages. The other campers and councillors had only arrived at noon, hence a scene of great activity. Basins and pitchers were being given out. Cots and mattresses were being placed or changed in tents and klondikes. Trunks were being delivered and directions of all sorts given. In spite of the damp grass and misty atmosphere, everybody seemed happy, the old campers glad to get back.
“You don’t know how lovely it is here,” said one and another to the new comers. “Wait till the sun comes out!”
Already Marjorie, Jean and Rhoda had joined girls whom they knew in school in Cincinnati. Hilary knew a few more of them, though she had not lived there very long. The Greycliff girls had asked to be together, but Patricia explained that assignments were usually made on account of age. “We have Seniors, Intermediates and Juniors. And then you don’t want to be in a separate group, do you? There are girls from several different private schools and high schools in different cities, East and West. You will lose sight of other organizations and just be Merrymeeting campers together.”
“That is much better,” acknowledged Hilary at once. “I did not think of it. Of course we don’t want to be a little club by ourselves!”