“Tell them to come just as they are!” called Urilla. “Thank goodness, they aren’t dressed up.”
“What a queer looking bundle,” remarked Mallie as the two joined the waiting group.
“Isn’t it?” responded Gincy, patting a bulky parcel. “Shooting irons come handy whar thar air dangerous animals,” relapsing into her former vocabulary.
Nancy Jane brightened visibly. “I’m glad some one feels funny; I’ve been too homesick for anything all day. I haven’t had a letter this week.”
“You’ll get one on the evening mail,” Gincy assured her. “No news, good news. I belong to the Don’t Worry Club; you’d better join.”
“Guess I will. I’ve got to scratch around and find out about a lot of new birds before I see Professor Lewis again. I don’t know any, for sure, except robins and buzzards. This will be a good time to get information.”
There was a general laugh in which Nancy Jane joined, her sorrows for the moment occupying the background. They filed down the long, straight road and crossed Silver Creek. There was a substantial bridge—built for high water—but Lalla and Mallie preferred the rickety foot-bridge farther down which trembled at every slight bit of weight imposed upon it. Miss Howard watched rather anxiously, but was soon reassured. They reached the farther end safely and started off across the fields toward the railroad.
The foothills seemed a vast, undulating semicircle. One bold knob higher than the rest, with precipitous sides patched with pines, stood out with more importance; but it lacked their allurement of tender colouring.
Straight into the heart of the range, the railroad cut its way, and a long, creeping freight train trailed by just as they turned to follow the track. A shower of cinders deluged Mallie and Lalla; they wheeled and walked backward until Gincy and Kizzie caught up. Nancy Jane panted close behind.
“I’ve got a monster in my eye!” moaned Mallie, plucking at the offender. Her efforts were vain, and each girl, in turn, was rewarded in the same way. Urilla and Miss Howard, far in the rear, were talking too earnestly to make much progress, or notice the group ahead.