"I wish I could get over my feeling of dislike for that girl," said Ethel, "but I can not. It grows on me. I shall be glad to go home to get rid of looking at her. I can never like Nora Casey either, although I have tried very hard. But I positively shrink from that girl. I don't trust her."
"I feel the same, and so do all the girls," replied Patty, "but she seems to have gotten around Miss Hollister. She is invariably hanging on her."
"Cousin Kate is so kind and good-hearted," said Ethel. "She's always ready to make the best of people, but I feel like pulling Mattie Hastings away when I see her around here."
"Look—quick! speak of angels—that was she looking out through those trees," exclaimed Patty. "Now I wonder what she is doing up here and alone. My! but it's warm in the sun, isn't it?" and Patty opened the neck of her waist and removed her hat. "Let's call and see if she answers us."
So Patty Sands called loudly:
"Mattie Hastings—Mattie—we have seen you—don't hide!"
Someone started to run through the brush. They heard a fall and a piercing shriek.
"She's tripped," said Ethel. "Let's go and see."
Quickly they picked their way over fallen trees and dead leaves until they came to the prostrate body of Mattie whom they so disliked.
"What have you done?" asked Patty. "Have you hurt yourself?"