The guardian, thus far, had not spoken a word. There was a look of puzzled surprise on her face.
"What is it, Miss Elting?" questioned Harriet, instantly discovering that something was wrong.
"I—I thought we should find some others here," replied the guardian hesitatingly.
"I told you there wath no one here," answered Tommy.
"Whom did you hope to find?" asked Harriet Burrell.
"Some friends of mine. It has been a rocky road to Wau-Wau, and we haven't reached it yet," muttered the guardian under her breath.
"I don't understand this, girls," she continued. "I fear we have made a mistake. This isn't the place I thought we were seeking. I must confess that I am lost. But the real place can not be far away. We shall have to walk from this on. Are you equal to it?"
"Not till I get thome food," answered Tommy with emphasis. "I'm famithhed. I want thomething to eat."
"So do I, darlin'," added Crazy Jane. "But I don't see anything hereabout that looks like food. Do you?"
Margery sat down helplessly. Harriet was smiling. She understood something of the plans of the guardian now; yet, like her companions, she was disappointed that the promised meal was not at hand. Miss Elting recovered her composure quickly.