“Oh, yes, Tom,” cried Sarita. “Don’t go in after it. Bill is right, and you didn’t mean to do it!”
“I should say I didn’t!” exclaimed Tom, struggling with a desire to pitch Bill overboard. “I will get you some other good glass, Miss Sarita, as soon as I can. No, Miss Leslie, not a cent for the fish. That’s the least we can do now. It was Bill’s fault, too. I’ll be up at the camp to see you about this, Miss Sarita.”
Seizing the oars, Tom rowed furiously away, paying no attention to Bill’s growlings. “Those squatters on Ives’ land have enough money to pay for our fish. That other girl picked three beauties and had her money out to pay for them!”
Meanwhile Leslie, rather dazed by what had happened, picked up her oars and with Peggy’s help rowed quietly toward home. Sarita sat idle, presently putting her face in her hands, while her shoulders heaved a little. Peggy looked serious. “She cares a lot, doesn’t she?” she said in a low tone to Leslie.
Leslie nodded, her face also serious, and a frown between her brows.
Presently Sarita dropped her hands and wiped her eyes a little. “I couldn’t help a little weep, girls,” she said. “You don’t know the things I went without to save up for that field glass! But it doesn’t do any good to cry. Perhaps I can buy another some time. I can’t let poor Tom buy any. He is taking care of his old grandmother now, Dal said. They live in one of the neatest cottages in the village, but Tom has to make what they live on. Dear me! Think of the birds that I’m going to miss!”
“Sarita,” said Peggy, “I’m going to buy some glasses. I’ll tell Mother that Sarita has gotten me simply crazy about birds and I must have some binoculars like what Dad has, or some good field glasses right away!” Peggy bent over her oars well satisfied with her plans, while the other girls looked at each other and at her with smiles.
“What should we do without our Peggy?” affectionately Leslie inquired. “Don’t go too far, though, in saying how crazy you are about birds. Stick strictly to the truth, honey.”
“All right, Leslie. But I do like them and I want the glass awfully anyway. I’d lend Dad’s, only I don’t suppose you’d want to use that. You can teach me birds, Sarita, and we’ll keep the glass at the Eyrie, so Dad will not find out. I’ll use my own money if you would feel better.”
“Please, Peggy, don’t do anything about it. I can get along. There are enough other nice things in this grand place! And please don’t say a word about it at supper. I’ll be able to enjoy the fun then. But if the boys know, they may talk about it and I don’t believe that I can stand it just now.”