“No. I could not think of permitting you to do that, Harriet. Jane will be sure to wait at the meeting place we agreed upon until noon to-morrow before starting on to the next stopping place.”
“But we haven’t any plathe to thleep,” protested the lisping Tommy. “I can’t thleep on the ground, can I?”
“No. You are going to sleep standing up like a horse,” answered Margery petulantly.
“No, I’m not. I’m going to lie down jutht like I alwayth do,” lisped the little girl.
“Girls, stop your disputing. We have other things to think of,” rebuked Harriet. “Let’s try to make the best of our unpleasant situation.”
Miss Elting, shading her eyes with her hand, gazed inquiringly at the surrounding country. It was barren of buildings except for a large barn and a number of stacks and sheds, some distance away in a field to the west. Still beyond this was a clump of trees and bushes. There was nothing else—no house, no human beings other than themselves in sight.
“Girls, let’s investigate that miniature forest over yonder,” called the guardian. “It looks as though it might be an excellent place in which to cook supper, provided we are able to find water.”
“Supper!” cried the girls in chorus. They realized all at once that they were hungry. With one accord they snatched up their packs, heavy as they were, slung them over their shoulders and laboriously climbed the roadside fence. Tommy caught her foot on the top rail in attempting to jump to the ground on the other side.
“Look out!” warned Miss Elting sharply.
“Thave me!” wailed the lisping Tommy and sprawled on all fours on the other side of the fence, kicking frantically as she fell.